INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — On Dec. 1, the Florida Department of Health will recognize World AIDS Day with the theme of “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination, Zero AIDS related-deaths.”
To unite in this effort, Indian River County Health Department is cohosting a local World AIDS Day event, “The End of AIDS,” with the Indian River County HIV/AIDS Awareness Network on Dec. 1.
Indian River County Health Department is offering free testing for World AIDS Day in their Efforts to See “The end of AIDS.”
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wabasso Church of God, located at 8710 64th Ave.
Free breakfast and lunch will be provided along with giveaways.
Local speakers will be on hand to provide education on HIV/AIDS and answer questions about this topic. Participants who choose to get tested will receive a $10 gift card, while supplies last.
“In Florida, over 100,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS, and having an informed community is a key step in keeping Indian River County residents and visitors healthy,” advises Miranda Hawker, Indian River County Health Department Administrator.
John May, the health department’s HIV Outreach Coordinator and planner of this event, encourages everyone to come out and get tested.
“A positive diagnosis used to be considered a death sentence, but advancement in treatment has come a long way since then. We understand that getting tested can be a scary process. We work hard to provide participants a safe, nonthreatening opportunity to get tested and know their status in the hope that one day we will see ‘The end of AIDS,’” said May.
For more information about the event, please contact John May at (772) 794-7477 or (772) 633-4724.