June 4, 2003

“TAKE THE TEST, TAKE CONTROL” ON NATIONAL HIV/SYPHILIS TESTING DAYS

Charlotte, NC – The face of AIDS is changing.  It is no longer a disease exclusive to the gay and drug using community.  The number of heterosexual citizens in Mecklenburg County testing positive for HIV is growing.  In fact, 60% of the clients counseled at Metrolina AIDS Project are women who contracted HIV through heterosexual contact.

That is why the Mecklenburg County Health Department, Metrolina AIDS Project, Regional HIV/AIDS Consortium, Brother 2 Brother, Infinity Broadcasting, and other partners are teaming up for National HIV Testing Days on Tuesday through Thursday, June 24th-26th, 2003.   Throughout the days, clinics across Mecklenburg County will offer free testing for HIV and syphilis.  Free Hepatitis A and B vaccinations will also be offered to those who qualify at CMC’s Northpark Center and Community Health Services on Wednesday and Thursday, June 25th and 26th.

Several events are scheduled to kick off National HIV Testing Day:

Variety Show-(Youth ages 12 to 18)
Wednesday, June 25, 6:30pm, University Park Baptist Church, 6029 Beatties Ford Rd.

WPEG’s Breakfast Brothers Broadcast
Wednesday, June 25, 8:00am-10:00am, CMC’s Northpark Center, 251 Eastway Dr.

Free and confidential testing will take place on Tuesday, June 24, at the following Mecklenburg County location and time:

Mi Casa, Su Casa 3601 Central Avenue 6pm-9pm

Free and confidential testing will take place on Wednesday, June 25, at the following Mecklenburg County locations and times:

NW Health Department 
2845 Beatties Ford Road 
10am-1pm & 3-6pm

SE Health Department 
249 Billingsley Road 
8am-11am & 1-3:30pm

CMC’s Northpark Medical Center 
251 Eastway Drive 
8am – 4pm

Community Health Services 
1401 East Seventh Street 
5pm – 8pm

Free and confidential testing will take place on Thursday, June 26, at the following Mecklenburg County locations and times:

NW Health Department 
2845 Beatties Ford Road 
8-11am & 1-3:30pm

SE Health Department 
249 Billingsley Road 
10-1pm & 3-6pm

CMC’s Northpark Medical Center 
251 Eastway Drive 
8am-4pm

Community Health Services 
1401 East Seventh Street 
5pm-8pm
 
The Mecklenburg County Health Department is teaming up with Metrolina AIDS Project, the Regional HIV/AIDS Consortium, Present Day Cares, Inc. and Brother 2 Brother to offer free testing in the Mecklenburg County area.  Citizens are urged to “take the test and take control,” especially if they have ever had any other sexually transmitted disease.

Reverend Gwen Curry is director of Present Day Cares, Inc. and counsels those at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS.  “More than 450,000 people in the United States are positive and don’t know it,” says Reverend Curry. “Everyone needs to know their status, and this is a shot in the arm in terms of awareness.”   For more information about sexually transmitted diseases in Mecklenburg County, check the Web site www.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/cohealth/epi/stats.htm.