Free HIV testing offered at MU
The awareness day is in its eighth year.
Published Feb. 5, 2008
Free HIV testing will be provided on campus Thursday to commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
Rain, a mid-Missouri organization that provides STD prevention resources, will sponsor the free tests from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Women’s Center, said Dustin Hampton, Rain education and testing coordinator.
The awareness day is in its eighth year and seeks to promote education about prevention and treatment within black communities, according to the NBHAAD Web site.
The Strategic Leadership Council, a coalition of seven organizations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nationally directs the awareness day.
Hampton said this year would be the first year that Rain has organized an event to coincide with the awareness day.
He said there are a number of awareness days for various minority communities throughout the year, he said.
“We’re trying to reach out to every community, to show that everyone is at risk and this national remembrance day makes it a great opportunity,” he said.
Hampton said Rain staff members will be positioned around campus to pass out information about STD prevention and also about the testing event.
He said Rain will use the Orasure test, which does not involve drawing blood from those being tested.
The test involves sticking a swab in one’s mouth for a few minutes to collect fluid samples; it takes about two weeks to get the results, Hampton said.
Rain provides free testing year-round at their office, 1123 Wilkes Blvd., Suite 250, for HIV, Hepatitis C and other STDs as well as prevention information and case management for those with HIV or Hepatitis C, Hampton said. For more information, people can visit Rain’s Web site, Missourirain.org