AHF to Present “One Million Tests” Poster at 2009 U.S. Conference on AIDS
By: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
San Francisco, CA - October 29, 2009
AIDS Healthcare Foundation will present a poster at this year’s U.S. Conference on AIDS in San Francisco this weekend—October 29-31. One Million Tests: 2008 World AIDS Day Global Campaign—Revamping the VCT Model to Streamlined Rapid Testing demonstrates the results of AHF’s large-scale global HIV testing campaign in which more than 1. 6 million people in 27 countries were tested for HIV in the months leading up to World AIDS Day 2008. The poster will be presented by Terri M. Ford, AHF’s Senior Director of Global Policy/Advocacy on Friday, October 30 from 2:30-3:00 pm and on Saturday, October 31 from 2:15-2:45 pm at the Hilton San Francisco Hotel, Continental Foyer, Ballroom Level.
“There is no universal access to treatment without universal access to testing,” said Ms. Ford. “Last year’s ‘One Million Tests’ campaign proved that with strong partnerships between nongovernmental organizations, health ministries and the private sector large-scale global HIV testing is possible. Our hope is that this year’s ‘Testing Millions’ effort will build on the success of last year’s campaign, ushering in a new era of rapid testing and streamlined counselling that will enable more people to know their status and reduce new infections worldwide.”
In addition to the poster presentation, AHF will also host a booth at the conference at which interested organizations may sign up to participate in AHF’s World AIDS Day 2009 Testing Millions global effort. The Testing Millions campaign will mobilize a growing, worldwide coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local and national governments, international relief agencies, faith-based organizations, medical providers, civil and corporate society, the media and YOU, to facilitate free HIV tests during World AIDS Day 2009 activities throughout the months of November and December.
Building on the momentum and success achieved during last year’s ONE MILLION Tests Campaign this year’s participating partners will further leverage streamlined and large scale testing events, group pre-test counseling, a variety of rapid testing products and increased referrals into care or antiretroviral treatment (ART).
AHF staff will also be on hand with information about its upcoming U.S. testing campaign. AHF’s National HIV Testing Tour kicks off on January 2, 2010 and interested partners will be able to sign up to participate in the campaign at the AHF USCA booth this weekend. This nationwide campaign will take a mobile testing unit through 48 states where, with local collaborators, AHF will host testing events emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s HIV status. Earlier this year, AHF successfully completed a cross country tour in its Magic Johnson Mobile Testing Unit which kicked off in Los Angeles in June and succeeded in testing more than 700 people in 10 states as the mobile unit made its way to Washington D.C. where it will be used to provide HIV testing in the nation’s capitol.
The annual USCA is hosted by the National Minority AIDS Council. This year, more than 3,000 AIDS professionals are expected to convene to build national support networks, exchange information and learn cutting-edge tools to address the challenges of HIV.
The mission of the National Minority AIDS Council is to develop leadership in communities of color to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. Since 1987, NMAC has advanced its mission through a variety of public policy education programs; national conferences; treatment and research programs and trainings; electronic and printed resource materials; and a website: www.nmac.org. NMAC represents a coalition of 3,000 F/CBOs and AIDS service organizations (ASOs) delivering HIV/AIDS services in communities of color nationwide.
