Partners Hope to Make HIV Testing ‘No Big Deal’ for South L.A. Residents on National HIV Testing Day, Monday, June 27

Charles Drew University, Magic Johnson Foundation, AHF and Pink Lotus Health Care Partner for National HIV Testing Day with Free Testing Events Monday, June 27^th in South Los Angeles; US Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D, CA 35^th) to attend event and take a free HIV test

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Monday, June 27, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, please join Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, the Magic Johnson Foundation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Pink Lotus Health Care in commemorating National HIV Testing Day with free HIV rapid testing and testing for other STDs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. The event will take place on the corner of Century Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in the City of Los Angeles at the Pink Lotus Health Care Center (10024 S. Vermont Ave, 90044), a local women’s community clinic specializing in reproductive health care for medically underserved women and teens residing in South Los Angeles. Among those attending the event

What:	Rep. Maxine Waters, Charles Drew U. School of Medicine, Magic Johnson Foundation, AHF & Pink Lotus Health Care to partner in ‘No Big Deal’ National HIV Testing Day free testing event in South Los Angeles
When:	MONDAY, Jun 27^th 9am-4pm (Remarks at 11:00 am)
Where:	Pink Lotus Health Center
	10024 S. Vermont Ave (corner Century Blvd.)
	Los Angeles CA 90044
Who:	the Honorable Maxine Waters, United States Congresswoman, CA, 35^th District
	Cynthia Davis, MPH, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
	Shane Jenkins, The Magic Johnson Foundation
	Michael Weinstein, President, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
	Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Senior Director, AHF Public Health Division
	Kareem Davis, owner, Pink Lotus Health Care
	Celebrity local rap artist Brandi Kane will take an HIV test
Attn Media:	The program will begin at 11:00 AM and will include remarks by Congresswoman Waters

Throughout the day there will be free incentives to test, including free food, distribution of free male and female condoms as well as the raffle of a flat screen TV. To underscore the ease—and importance—of testing, the partners will launch the ‘No Big Deal’ initiative,’ creating an opportunity for local elected officials and celebrities to come out and declare, ‘It’s No Big Deal to Take An HIV Test.’ The ‘No Big Deal’ initiative was created by Thelma Mc Clinton, Program Manager of the AHF ‘Health Spot’ mobile van. This is a new mobile van program being spearheaded by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas as well as other providers in the community to address and stem the high rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV in South Los Angeles. The ‘No Big Deal’ National HIV testing Day event is designed to help community residents overcome their hesitation and/or fear of being tested by stressing the simplicity of the process. Those tested will be able to obtain their HIV test results on site within 20 minutes after using a finger prick or an oral swab device for testing. Anyone 13 years of age or older can come out and get a free HIV or STD test.

“It’s been 30 years since AIDS was first discovered, yet more than one million people in the United States are living with HIV/AIDS, and one out of five of them doesn’t know it,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters who represents the 35^th District of California where the ‘No Big Deal’ testing event is taking place and will attend the event and take a free HIV test as part of the public awareness campaign. “That’s why everyone should get tested for HIV. Only by getting tested can you know your status, begin life-saving treatment if you need it, and protect yourself and others in your community.”

“We need to empower our residents with information to make healthier choices and take charge of their own health care as well as the health of their communities,” said Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County Supervisor for the Second District, where the National HIV Testing Day event will take place.

“We are committed to stopping the spread of HIV and other STDs in our community and we can only accomplish this by partnering with local testing and community outreach providers programs,” said Shane Jenkins, Director of HIV/AIDS and Social Programs for the Magic Johnson Foundation. “The Magic Johnson Foundation looks forward to this annual event because we're able to help save lives by identifying individuals who do not know their HIV status and immediately referring those in need to treatment and follow-up.”

Kareem Davis, the owner of Pink Lotus, noted, ”This is an opportunity for the Pink Lotus to take a stance and work in collaboration with other providers to help identify women and youth who are at high risk for HIV infection as well as infection with other STDs.”

“There is an epidemic of HIV and STDS in South Los Angeles among sexually active youth who have no idea that they are at risk for infection, not only with HIV, but other STDS as well,” said Cynthia Davis, MPH, Assistant Professor, and HIV Testing Program Director Drew University HIV/Education and outreach Project, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, California and a Board member of AHF. “This event gives us an opportunity to really reach out and into the heart of the community.”

So come on out and join us for National HIV Testing Day. Local elected official and celebrities have been invited to stop by to test as well as to encourage their constituents and fans to come out and test.

For additional information about the ‘No Big Deal’ National HIV Testing Day event, please contact: Shane Jenkins at [phone] or Thelma Mc Clinton at [phone].