Free HIV Testing Event To Be Held on June 29

thegavoice.com:

In recognition of National HIV Testing Day,  NAESM, A Vision 4 Hope, B Holding Group Foundation, the Fulton County Board of Health, Here’s to Life Inc., Sister Love, Empowerment Resource Center, Someone Cares, Project HIM, POWER ATLANTA, The SHI Foundation, and Whitefoord Health Center will all be hosting an event, sponsored by Gilead Sciences, with free HIV testing, information, and entertainment on Saturday, June 29 at Best Friend’s Restaurant and Lounge (2672 Godby Rd) from 3 to 7pm. “B Holding Group Foundation and our community partners are excited to bring everyone together again this year for Unity Fest in recognition of National HIV Testing Day,” said Jason Panda, Founder and CEO of B Condoms and B Holding Group Foundation. “There can be a lot of division in the Black community – straight, gay, bisexual, trans – and we wanted to foster an environment where everyone can be comfortable learning about health and wellness and raising awareness about HIV.

We encourage everyone to come out this Saturday for free testing, entertainment, food, and a good time.” In Atlanta, there were 39,172 people living with HIV in 2021, with more than 1,118 new diagnoses.

Nationwide, 1.2 million people are living with HIV – approximately 13 percent of whom are unaware of their status, emphasizing the need for increased testing. “Gilead Sciences is proud to sponsor this important National HIV Testing Day event with such a broad group of community-based organizations in Atlanta,” said Bettina Bauer, Vice President, US HIV Treatment and Prevention at Gilead Sciences. “HIV testing is the only way to know one’s HIV status and a critical tool in helping to end the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere, which we are constantly working toward