In recognition of World AIDS Day the Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake is teaming up with health care practitioners to host a free information and HIV testing event in December.
World AIDS Day falls on Dec. 1 but due to scheduling conflicts the Williams Lake awareness event will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, says Stefanie Hendrickson, BGC operations co-ordinator.
She says Jordan Davis, harm reduction worker for the Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District is organizing the event in co-operation with Interior Health and the Williams Lake and District Credit Union Community Health Centre at Thompson Rivers University.
Nurse practitioner Sandy Lachapelle, as well as Interior Health staff, will be on site at the TRU cafeteria to provide free and confidential HIV testing and counselling from 1:45 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 3
"Everyone aged 15-30 is welcome to attend," Hendrickson says.
"Pizza and beverages will be served and draw prizes will be up for grabs including an iPad!"
Representatives from Twisted and Tortured Inkworkz will be in attendance to talk about safe tattoo practices and the dangers of self-tattooing.
Bowdrie Kaytor a piercer from The Rabbit Hole will be discussing safe piercing and sterilization.
Boys and Girls Club staff will be on hand providing sexual health awareness information and Interior Health’s My Health is Sexy material.
Why should people get tested?
Hendrickson says statistics indicate that in 2011, 11,700 people in B.C. were living with HIV/AIDS.
It is estimated that 25 per cent of people who are living with HIV in Canada do not know that they are infected. Furthermore, she notes that not everyone who is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS practices risky behaviour.
Interior Health maintains that: “if you’re sexually active, HIV testing should be a routine part of your health care.”
For more visit http://www.myhealthissexy.com/.