Free HIV testing, awareness fair come to UTSA June 27

By Cindy Brockwell
Development Assistant, Office of Student Affairs

(June 27, 2006)--Free confidential HIV testing returns to the UTSA 1604 Campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 27, in Student Health Services in Recreation and Wellness Center Room 1.500 at the 1604 Campus. The event is part of National HIV Testing Day.

Testing and the awareness fair are free and open to the UTSA community and the general public, according to Kathy Ceresoli, Student Health Services. Testing will be provided by Patrician Movement.

Additionally, community agencies will provide information on HIV prevention and sexual health at an HIV Awareness Mini-Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the University Center galleria outside the Retama Auditorium (2.02.02), 1604 Campus.

Participating agencies include Metro Health, Planned Parenthood, San Antonio AIDS Foundation and the UTSA student organizaton SHADES (Sexual Health Alcohol and Drug Education for Students).

June 27 marks the 11th annual observance of National HIV Testing Day when at-risk individuals are encouraged to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing. The red ribbon is the international symbol of AIDS awareness.

Ceresoli said that in Bexar County in 2004, 505 individuals were newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, an increase of 32 percent in just one year. Almost half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 years of age and are killed by AIDS before they reach their 35th birthday.

The Patrician Movement provides motivation for clients and families to resolve substance abuse problems. They also provide assessment, case management, HIV testing, detoxification services and substance abuse education classes.

For more information, contact Kathy Ceresoli at (210) 458-6428.