HIV Testing Day!

KNOW YOUR STATUS!

National HIV Testing Day was first observed in the USA on27 June, 1995. This is the 30th anniversary of the occasion! It was initially sponsored by the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA) which is now defunct. An early corporate sponsor was Walgreen’s Pharmacy, which offered free HIV screening throughout their extensive network of commercial neighbourhood pharmacies, which was very rare at that time. This event is now sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Practically every testing site in the USA offers free testing on this date, 27 June, annually.

Basic Facts:

1. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
2. AIDS is a result of HIV infection.
3. HIV is not spread by everyday casual contact.
4. Only a physician can diagnose AIDS.

HIV/AIDS was initially considered a fatal disease with an average survival rate of less than 5 years. Due to advances in medical and treatment options and physician awareness, it is now known to be a manageable health condition. Following standard health guidelines and practices, the long-term survival rate is unlimited.

Medicines are now available that significantly reduce the risks of transmission of HIV from an infected person to a non-infected sexual partner. For details, ask your health care provider.

“Getting tested for HIV and knowing the results of that test is the first step in reducing our chances of HIV infection.” ~ Red Cross adage

I remember the very first National HIV Testing Day. In 1995, I was well into my volunteer career with the Red Cross HIV/AIDS Prevention Education program. I was a non-compensated instructor trainer (IT) in the Basic Fundamentals HIV/AIDS Prevention Education program and the African-American HIV/AIDS Prevention Education program in addition to the Workplace Prevention Education curriculum.

My responsibility with the three courses that I facilitated was to prepare candidates (students) to instruct persons within their own communities how to effectively prevent themselves against HIV using the Red Cross certified curriculums. The course objectives were a minimum of 28 hours for the Basic Fundamentals program; 36 hours for the African-American program and 40 hours for the Workplace program.

The first National HIV Testing Day! materials, although not in the Red Cross teaching standards format, did contain information that we needed to utilize and present. My dilemma that first year was trying to incorporate the NAPWA guidelines and objectives into our Red Cross procedures. The Red Cross curriculums were the only methodology that produced nationally recognized certifications in HIV/AIDS prevention education.

My challenge was to develop and implement instructional criteria that satisfied Red Cross certification standards and NAPWA objectives. After numerous hours of research and development, upon completion, the Red Cross charged me with the obligation to nationally train colleagues into this updated curriculum. For the Red Cross certified specialists there was no issue. For the NAPWA instructors, my efforts presented barriers, challenges and hurdles that never achieved resolution.

“It’s not who we are, it’s what we do, that puts us at risk for HIV infection.” ~ Red Cross adage

The end result of my very extensive efforts was the Red Cross supporting National HIV Testing Day and presenting essential information to students and the public. There were no offered educational programs specifically for the NAPWA sponsored events.

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, June 27, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Stonewall Inn: 1969!”