First held on June 27, 1995, National Day of Testing was created to reach the millions of men, women, and children around the nation at-risk for HIV infection. National Day of Testing is a nationwide educational campaign to promote awareness of individual HIV status. An estimated 156,000 Americans are unaware that they are infected with HIV, and the knowledge gained from testing could save their lives.

This is why the Positive Resource Connection is again participating in the National Day of Testing on Monday, June 27, 2016 at several sites in Fort Wayne. PRC will be providing free HIV testing and counseling to anyone who would like to know his or her HIV status. All testing is completely private and confidentiality is guaranteed. Testing is performed using the OraQuick test, an oral HIV antibody test and no needles are used. Results will be available within twenty minutes of taking the HIV test.

How can someone tell if they have been infected with HIV? If a person has done things that have put themselves at-risk, the only way they will know is to take an HIV test. People can live with HIV for an average of seven to ten years without showing any symptoms. Knowing one’s status by taking an HIV test makes it possible for those who are infected to seek treatment and live longer, healthier lives and can help prevent passing the virus to others. For those who are not infected, a negative test provides both peace of mind and incentive for doing everything possible to remain negative.

Free testing will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Villages of Hanna, 2201 Reed St. Free testing will also be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Positive Resource Connection, 525 Oxford St. Knowing your HIV status is an essential step in taking control of your life. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Ken Redmon at (260)-744-1144 or email at ken@neiprc.org.