AIDS Healthcare Foundation Observes CDC's National HIV

HIV Testing in Conjunction with SAG Celebrity Press Conference on HIV Awareness in the Black Community When: Monday, June 25th 10am - 11am Where: Screen Actor's Guild 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA NOTE: AIDS Healthcare Foundation's M-POWER-U Mobile Testing Unit (named in partnership with, and honor of Magic Johnson) will provide HIV testing to celebrity participants as a way to raise awareness and promote National HIV Testing Day events within the Black community. CONTACTS: Ged Kenslea, AHF Director of Communications 323.860.5225 work 323.791.5526 mobile Whitney Engeran III, AHF Director of Prevention 213.405.5822 work 562.682.1075 mobile

The statistics are startling: of the 1.3 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS, nearly 50 percent of them are Black. Black Americans represent more than 54 percent of the new HIV/AIDS cases in the United States. AIDS is the leading cause of death for African-American women aged 24-34. A study by the CDC showed that forty-six percent of Black gay men in America might already be HIV positive. Twenty-five percent of HIV positive people in the U.S. do not know they are infected. Clearly, Black Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. On Monday, June 25th, in conjunction with the CDC's Kickoff of National HIV Testing Week, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will provide HIV testing during a celebrity press conference on HIV/AIDS awareness in the Black community in front of the Screen Actors Guild's Los Angeles headquarters.

Other AHF Testing & Outreach Activities During National HIV Testing Week: AHF's Out Of The Closet Free HIV Testing Site Schedules -- Monday, June 25th - Sunday, July 1st 2007

AHF's Out Of The Closet Thrift Store testing sites in Hollywood and West Hollywood will feature all day testing from 10am - 7pm on National HIV Testing Day, June 27th, in addition to their regular testing schedules from 3pm - 7pm, 7 days per week.

M-POWER-U Mobile Testing Unit -- Wednesday, June 27th 8am - 4pm Chesterfield Square Shopping Center Slausen & Western Avenues, Los Angeles, CA -- Thursday, June 28th 8am - 4pm Century Plaza 3351 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

AHF's M-POWER-U Mobile Testing Unit will participate in this second annual, 2-day HIV Testing Marathon, co-sponsored by AHF, Magic Johnson Foundation, Minority AIDS Project, Charles R. Drew University and the LA County STD Mobile Unit. Everyone tested will receive a free gift donated by local businesses, including free movie passes to AMC Theaters.

West Hollywood Mobile Testing Unit Wednesday, June 26th -- 8pm -2am Thursday, June 27th -- 8pm - 2am Saturday, June 30th -- 8pm - 2am Sunday, July 1st -- 12pm - 5pm 745 N. San Vicente Ave. West Hollywood, CA Friday, June 29th -- 5pm - 10pm 8612 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA

In addition to the regularly scheduled testing in West Hollywood, the MTU will also provide Rapid HIV Testing and Counseling at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., LA, CA 90016 from 4pm - 8pm on Wednesday, June 27th; and on the corner of Wilshire and Normandy in Koreatown from 12pm - 4pm on Thursday, June 28th.

AHF provides more than 13,000 free HIV tests each year in California through its innovative testing program via testing sites at three (3) AHF Out of the Closet thrift store locations throughout Southern California; via its Mobile Testing Units traveling throughout greater Los Angeles; and through its Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS). AHF also provides HIV testing in the L.A. County Jail System. In addition, AHF currently provides over one- third of the 39,000 HIV tests done annually in Los Angeles County.
source:www.earthtimes.org