Kevin Reynolds / Roundup
Pierce College’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Week begins on Monday, March 21, with free HIV testing provided for students in parking lot 1.
According to Avert.org, an international AIDS charity, there are an estimated 1.1 million people infected with HIV living in the United States. These figures are a rough estimate because one in every five people infected has not been diagnosed.
During Pierce College’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, the Pierce College Student Health Center will be providing free testing in Parking Lot 1 on March 21 and 24 from 2:00-7:00 p.m., and March 22 and 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
HIV positive speakers from “Being Alive,” an organization created for and by individuals living with HIV/AIDS, will be on campus a week prior and during HIV/AIDS Awareness Week.
They will be on campus speaking to classrooms about what it means to live with HIV.
“I’m glad there is a free and discreet service being provided for us,” said Janice Taylor, an 18-year-old English major. “It’s incredible to me how many people don’t take the time to find out.”
A representative for the Student Health Center said that the awareness week is being hosted by the A.S.O.
There was nobody available at the A.S.O. office to comment.
“It’s scary out there in the dating world, who knows what you might pick up,” said Jeff Baynard, a 32-year-old computer science major. “I would hope everyone on campus takes advantage of this.”
For any additional information about free HIV testing, contact the Student Health Center at 818-710-4270.