Planned Parenthood Celebrates Free HIV Testing Day

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood Offers Free HIV Testing June 27

ALBANY, NY (06/21/2007)(readMedia)-- Wednesday, June 27 is National HIV Free Testing Day. Once again, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood will participate in this national event by offering free HIV counseling and testing at three health centers around the Capital Region. This year, all Planned Parenthood testing sites will provide same-day, rapid test results. 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.

UHPP Free Testing Sites will include:

  • UHPP Hudson health center,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.
  • UHPP Albany health center, 259 Lark Street, Albany from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Anonymous counseling and testing using finger stick; results in 10 minutes; Spanish speaking test counselor available. Call 1-800-962-5065 for more information in English and 1-800-233-7432 for more information in Spanish.
  • UHPP Troy health center, 200 Broadway, Suite 201, Troy from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Anonymous counseling and testing using finger stick; results in 10 minutes; Spanish speaking test counselor available. Call 1-800-962-5065 for more information in English and 1-800-233-7432 for more information in Spanish.

In Columbia County, UHPP has led a coalition of government and non-profit organizations in a campaign that will offer free testing at four locations from Hudson to Valatie and which has made a special effort this year to reach Spanish speaking residents and migrant workers. More information on this campaign can be found at the UHPP web site, www.uhpp.org.

According to Patricia A. McGeown, President/CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) “the National HIV Testing Day Campaign 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. Knowing one’s HIV status is the critical first step in taking control and responsibility over one’s health.” The theme for the day is Take Control! Take the Test!

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