National HIV/AIDS Testing Day
So, my 2nd post will be an educational one, I hope. As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of holidays. It doesn’t matter what the holiday is, I just like to celebrate! Some holidays are more fun than others. Some of my personal favorites are Talk Like a Pirate Day, Blame Someone Else Day, and Hug Your Cat Day. But, sometimes there is a holiday that just makes you pause and think. Today is such a day. As I logged onto the computer this morning, my calendar notified me of how important today is. Today is National HIV/AIDS Testing Day. Why is this such a poignant holiday for me? My father was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS when I was in 7th grade. He lost his battle 5 years later when I was a Senior in high school. By the time he found out he had this disease, it was too late. His T-cell count was below 200. It was merely a waiting game by then. My hope is that anyone who may be at risk, or thinks they may be at risk, will take the time to get tested today. There are an estimated 250,000 Americans who have HIV/AIDS and don’t know it. Their families don’t know it and their partners don’t know it. This disease can not be cured, but with the proper medical treatments, a quality life can be prolonged. Here are some links for more information about this very important holiday:
www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/
BE SMART and BE SAFE on National HIV Testing Day! Free HIV testing for anyone on a walk-in basis by Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 415 Elm Street, Fredericksburg.
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Thanks for posting this! I’m very sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my brother-in-law to AIDS back in 1993 so I totally understand. I appreciate you noting the number of people who have HIV/AIDS and don’t know it. That is important for all of us in this country to realize. People DO need to be tested!
(((HUGS))) and thank you for spreading the word.
Sarah, I also am sorry to hear about your Dad. I used to teach aids prevention to teenagers. It is so impoortant to keep the information flowing. The aids test is just a simple blood test. I think everyone should be tested. The first blood test does not always show the disease. A second blood test should follow the first to be positive it was not missed. Thank you for your blog. Sheila (Pinky 379)
I too am very sorry to hear about your father. I believe the only way we can slow this horrible epidemic is through education and testing: …anyone who may be at risk, or thinks they may be at risk, will take the time to get tested today.” Amen! My first visit here, no gonna be the last. I’m adding this blog to my blog roll
I too am very sorry to hear about your father. I believe the only way we can slow this horrible epidemic is through education and testing: …anyone who may be at risk, or thinks they may be at risk, will take the time to get tested today.” Amen! My first visit here, no gonna be the last. I’m adding this blog to my blog roll
(If this is a duplicate comment, its because I didn’t notice if it “took”)
So sorry to hear about your Dad – <>
Good job spreading the word about testing.
GREAT looking new Blog!
[...] how important it is to have regular screening for the disease by sharing my families story on my blog. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I think it took me over an hour to press [...]
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