National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day marked at D.A.P. on March 10

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – March 5, 2010)

Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the U.S. That’s why Desert AIDS Project – along with Walgreens, Tibotec Therapeutics, and 100 WOMEN – are offering a half day program on Wednesday, March 10 to educate women and girls about HIV and AIDS.

The theme of this year’s National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is “Get tested. Know your status. Talk about it.” All interested women are invited to learn more at this informative session at D.A.P.

Free registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 AM at D.A.P.’s facility at 1695 N. Sunrise Way in Palm Springs, where attendees may receive a free and confidential HIV test with results in about 20 minutes. Free consultations with pharmacists will also be offered until 10:00 AM when Tasha McNeille, R.Ph will present “HIV & Women: Pregnancy,” followed by an open forum discussion of women’s health. From 11:00 AM – noon Bethseba Johnson, MSN, of Tibotec Therapeutics will present an “HIV Update,” followed by a free lunch. All attendees will leave with a gift bag, provided by 100 WOMEN, a major donor program at D.A.P. dedicated to serving women and children affected by or at-risk for HIV and AIDS.

“More and more women have become infected with HIV since it was first reported in the early 1980s,” said David Brinkman, D.A.P. Executive Director. “Today, about one in four Americans living with HIV are women. It’s time for women to get tested.”

Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers free and confidential HIV testing at a number of locations throughout the communities it serves. For more information call 760-323-2118.