LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Safe |
by Sal Seeley, LCSW |
National HIV Testing Day: June 27th Do you Know Your HIV Status?
June 27th is National HIV testing day. This day marks an acknowledgment among HIV service providers that we need to raise awareness about HIV and how we are all impacted by HIV and AIDS. We encourage all men and women in Sussex County to get tested on this day or encourage someone in their life to get a test. The test we offer at CAMP Rehoboth is called a rapid test. You come in, talk with a counselor, ask any questions you might havedon't be embarrassed, this is what we are here for fill out some paperwork, take the test and get your results in twenty minutes. As we approach testing day on the 27th, there are millions of people around the world that don't know their status! That is amazing. We have the screening tool to help you find out and there are still so many people who don't know. Do you know yours? Do you even know how to prevent HIV? For persons who are sexually active, the most reliable way to prevent HIV infection currently is consistent and proper use of condoms. Currently, the biggest problem facing the US now is people who are HIV+ and don't know iteither because they don't get tested regularly or they don't think they are at risk. Then there are those that would rather live in denial or who are just too scared to deal with the realities of being diagnosed with HIV. Many men and women think they could be HIV+ but have chosen not to testoften making that decision based on incorrect information about HIV, or fear about what happens to you once you test positive. If you have HIV, all the evidence suggests that you are better off knowing itand the sooner you test, the better. Knowing that you are HIV negative allows you to make informed decisions about the sex you have. Obviously a negative result offers no guarantee for the future. So whatever the result of the test, you need to think carefully about the sex that you have and avoid sharing needles and injecting equipment. Testing is free and confidential. If we get a positive result then we do more tests to be sure. But it cannot get much better than that! The test is 99% accurate for testing for antibodies! I like those odds. I hope on the 27th that we will see some of you here at CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call us if you have questions at 302-227-5620. If you can't make it to our site, go to www.hivtest.org for a list of sites around Delaware. If you can't get tested on the 27th, CAMP offers testing seven days a week, all hours of the day. Don't make excuses anymore, get tested. As an added incentive, if you test that day, you will get a coupon for a free chicken salad sandwich from Lori's Caf in the CAMP Rehoboth courtyard. Sal Seeley is Program Director of CAMPsafe, an HIV/AIDS program funded through a contract with the Delaware Division of Public Health. E-mail salvatoreseeley@aol.com. Help Wanted at CAMP The CAMPsafe program needs help for our summer outreach program. We are looking for an outreach worker to help with beach, bar and special event outreach. Get paid for talking to guys, walking the beach, and being silly. Its a perfect summer job for someone looking to make some extra money and make a difference. Please call Salvatore at 302-227-5620 for more information. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 19, No. 07 June 19, 2009 |