World AIDS Day is Saturday, Dec. 1. The 2012 theme is "Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation."
It has been more than 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the U.S. HIV is still a reality for more than a million Americans. Nearly one of every five people living with HIV in the U.S. doesn’t know it.
The Pinellas County Health Department is sponsoring a To mark World AIDS Day, a wellness fair with testing, screenings, flu vaccines and entertainment at Williams Park, 330 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free HIV and Hepatitis testing will also be available at all Pinellas County Health Department locations.
- St. Petersburg, 205 Dr. MLK Jr. St., N.
- Pinellas Park, 6350 76th Ave. N.
- Largo, 12420 130th Ave. N.
- Mid-County, 8751 Ulmerton Rd.
- Tarpon Springs, 301 N. Myrtle Ave.
The year's local World AIDS Day Wellness Fair is co-sponsored by the city of St. Petersburg. The Banyan Tree Project, Help US Help U along with agencies from the Pinellas HIV/AIDS Community Prevention Planning Partnership will be presenting a variety of activities designed to draw attention back to a pandemic that infects millions of people in Pinellas County, Florida, the United States and all over the world.
The partnership includes the Pinellas County Health Department, AIDS Services Association of Pinellas, Metro Wellness and Community Centers, Youth Education Services and Operation PAR.
There are many resources available for HIV-infected residents in Pinellas County including case management, medical care, prescription drugs, support groups and other support services.
For more information, contact the Pinellas County Health Department's HIV/AIDS program at 727-824-6900, ext. 4643.
People wanting to help create an AIDS-free generation can participate in the Facing Aids Initiative, get resources to plan an event, read the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and more at AIDS.gov.
To get tested for HIV, locate a testing site near you by sending a text message with your ZIP code to "KNOWIT" (566948) or visit HIVtest.org.
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