30 YEARS OF HIV TREATMENT AND PREVENTION.

National HIV Testing Day - June 27

Since it was identified 30 years ago, more than 575,000 Americans have lost their lives to AIDS and more than 56,000 people in the U.S. become infected with HIV each year. In Delaware, 2,122 residents have died from AIDS over the same period, while an average of 165 new infections were diagnosed each year. To make it more convenient that ever, HIV organizations are offering testing and counseling services statewide on National HIV Testing Day, June 27, .

Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director, urges Delawareans to get tested. "More infections are occurring among youth and other at-risk groups. This can only be prevented by getting tested and using safe sex practices."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently more than 1.1 million Americans living with HIV while nearly half of the population knows someone living with the disease. Breakthrough treatments and prevention efforts, over the years, have saved over 350,000 lives in the United States alone and many more globally. People with HIV are living longer and more productive lives, but the first step is getting tested. Testing locations and services include:

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

• Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, 604 N. Walnut Street, Wilmington. HIV testing and outreach on June 27 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Theme for the Day: "Age Won't Protect You from HIV". Call 302-472-3002 or e-mail Bgate411@aol.com.
• Division of Public Health, Porter State Service Center, 511 W. 8th Street, Wilmington. Free HIV rapid testing. June 27 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Need picture ID. Call 302-577-3521.
• Latin American Community Center, 4th and Harrison Street, Wilmington. Free and confidential mobile HIV testing in community. HIV, STDs and Hepatitis C education. June 27 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Call 302-655-7338, ext. 7721. Refreshments will be served.

KENT COUNTY

• Kent Sussex Counseling Services, John Wesley Community Center, 211 West Division Street, Dover. Free and confidential HIV counseling and testing. June 24 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Call 302-382-7284 or 302-672-8245. Refreshments will be served.
• Division of Public Health, Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover. Free walk-in and confidential HIV rapid testing. June 27 from 8:30 a.m.- 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Free condoms and give-aways. Need picture ID. Call 302-857-5150.
• Division of Public Health, 253 N. E. Front Street, Milford. Free walk-in and confidential HIV rapid testing. June 28 from 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Free condoms and give-aways. Need picture ID. Call 302-732-9036.

SUSSEX COUNTY

• CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach. Free HIV rapid testing for 3 days. June 25-27 from 9 a.m. -7 p.m. Call 302-227-5620.
• Division of Public Health, Thurman Adams Center, 544 South Bedford Street, Georgetown. Free walk-in and confidential HIV rapid testing. June 27 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Free condoms and give-aways. Need picture ID. Call 302-732-9036.
• Division of Public Health, Shipley State Service Center, 350 Virginia Avenue, Seaford. Free walk-in and confidential HIV rapid testing. June 29 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Free condoms and give-aways. Need picture ID. Call 302-732-9036.
• Division of Public Health, Pyle State Service Center, 34314 Pyle Center Road, Frankford. Free walk-in and confidential HIV rapid testing. June 30 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., then 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Free condoms and give-aways. Need picture ID. Call 302-732-9036.
• Kent Sussex Counseling Services, 101 Hollybrook Apartments, Laurel. Free mobile HIV counseling and testing. June 27 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call 302-387-5495. Refreshments served.
• La Red Health Center, 504 West Market Street, Georgetown. Free HIV rapid testing and HIV/STD education, June 28 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Rain date: June 30 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call 302-236-0514

To find a testing site nearest you visit www.hivtest.org and type in your ZIP code or call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or the Public Health HIV Prevention Program at 302-744-1050 for more information.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.