Columbia County Celebrates HIV Free Testing Day

HUDSON, NY (06/21/2007)(readMedia)-- KNOW YOUR STATUS. GET TESTED! Wednesday, June 27 is National HIV Free Testing Day. For the third year, a coalition of government and non-profit organizations, led by Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, will provide information tables and free HIV counseling and testing at locations in Columbia County in recognition of this national event. This year, all sites will provide rapid results and most locations will offer bilingual, Spanish-speaking testers, Price Chopper and/or Stewart’s gift certificates will be available to all who are tested, courtesy of Project W.A.V.E. New York.

Free Testing Sites will include:

• Columbia County Health Clinic, Human Services Building, 325 Columbia Street, Hudson, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Anonymous counseling and testing using finger stick; results in 10 minutes; Spanish speaking testers available. Call 828-3358 for more information.

• Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, 190 Fairview Avenue, Hudson, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Confidential counseling and testing by finger stick or oral swab; results in 20 minutes. Call 828-4675 for more information.

• Bliss Towers, 41 North 2nd Street, Hudson, from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM. Anonymous counseling and testing using finger stick; results in 10 minutes; Spanish speaking testers available. Call 1-800-962-5065 for more information in English and 1-800-233-7432 for more information in Spanish.

• Columbia Café Co., 3019 Main Street, Valatie, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.Confidential counseling and testing by finger stick or oral swab; results in 20 minutes; Spanish speaking testers available. Call 1-800-962-5065 for more information in English and 1-800-233-7432 for more information in Spanish.

National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign designed to encourage and support HIV testing. This unique and effective initiative sends the message to those at risk that knowing your HIV status is vital. If you know you are HIV infected, you can be evaluated for treatment before symptoms appear. Also, if you know you are infected, you can take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of HIV to others. The theme for the day is Take Control! Take the Test!

The national campaign was developed in response to growing alarm over increasing numbers of HIV infections in heavily impacted communities, including communities of color. Today, it is estimated that over 250,000 Americans are living with HIV but are unaware of it. While IV drug users and men who have sex with men remain at high risk, the fasting growing rates of HIV/AIDS are now among African American and Hispanic men and women, as well as young people under age 25. This year, the Columbia County HIV Free Testing Day coalition is making a special effort to reach out to Spanish speaking residents and migrant workers.

“Knowing one’s HIV status is the critical first step in taking control and responsibility over one’s health,” said Patricia A. McGeown, President/CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP). UHPP has been the lead agency in the coalition for the past three years. “This year,” explained McGeown, “we were able to obtain a small grant from the Community AIDS Partnership of the Capital Region to help with promotion of this event, and particularly to create and distribute promotional materials to Spanish speaking residents of the county.”

Columbia County HIV Free Testing Day Coalition members include the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York, Columbia Café Co., Columbia County Department of Health, Columbia County Health Care Consortium, Columbia Opportunities, Hudson Housing Authority, New York State DOH Anonymous Testing Program, Twin County Recovery Center, and Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood.