D.A.P. offers HIV testing incentives for National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
Posted September 12th, 2011 – Press Releases
(PALM SPRINGS, CA – September 12, 2011)
In honor of the fourth annual National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD) on Sunday, September 18, Desert AIDS Project will be offering a $10 gift card, while supplies last, for anyone 50 years of age or older this week and next. The incentive will be offered September 12, 15, 19, and 22 only at the main Desert AIDS Project campus at 1695 N. Sunrise Way in Palm Springs during its regular Monday and Thursday 4:30 – 7:00 PM testing hours. Please call 760-323-2118 to make an appointment.
“We want to remind aging populations that 40% of all Americans living with HIV are age 50 or older,” said David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project. “Currently, there are over 48,000 Californians in this age group living with HIV. We are urging anyone 50+ to ask themselves when they were last tested for HIV and consider whether it’s time to be tested again.”
The theme for NHAAAD is “Aging is a part of life – HIV doesn’t have to be.” More than 1,000 people in this “senior” age group were newly diagnosed as HIV-positive in 2009. Of those newly diagnosed, half of them were concurrently diagnosed with AIDS, indicating late testing with those 50+.
Desert AIDS Project offers free and confidential HIV testing – with results in about 20 minutes – five days a week at various locations in Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, and Indio. For a complete listing of testing locations, please visit www.desertaidsproject.org or call 760-323-2118. D.A.P. provides comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services to those living with HIV/AIDS. To learn more, you can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
