2008 Woodie Awards
World AIDS Day calls on Cal Poly
By: Nicole Small
Issue date: 11/28/06 Section: News
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World AIDS Day is Dec. 1, however, Cal Poly is having its own AIDS event today through Thursday by offering free HIV testing and education. This is the first year free testing is offered thanks to Pride Alliance. The testing will take place at the Cal Poly Health Center from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. all three days.
Peer Health Education and the Pride Center put on this event to talk about safe-sex education, promote getting tested and offer support.
Approximately 1 million Americans are living with HIV, and of the 40,000 new cases each year, half are people under the age of 25, according to Until There's a Cure Foundation.
"The only way to stop the spread of the HIV virus is to protect yourself," said Angela Kramer, an English sophomore and student coordinator of the Pride Center.
Kramer said it is the goal of Peer Health Education and the Pride Alliance to educate Cal Poly students and the community on how to protect themselves against the pandemic.
"People should take advantage of the free testing. It can be scary getting tested alone, but offering this, students know other people are getting tested as well," said Lizzy LaMotte-Mitchell, a Peer Health Educator and political science senior. The number of people who pass it onto someone they love because they didn't know is shocking, LaMotte-Mitchell said. In fact, one in four people pass HIV onto someone else because they are unaware they are infected.
One test being offered, OraSure, only checks for HIV. The test is simple: A small pad on a plastic stick is placed between the gum and cheek, a swab is taken and the pad must remain in a closed mouth for three minutes. Since the test must be sent to a lab off campus, results will take two weeks. Students can also choose to take a blood test to test for HIV and STDs.
Usually all tests cost around $8 at the Health Center, but the Pride Alliance is supplying the free testing from its own budget. Results are confidential, but not anonymous. In order for students to get their results they must leave their name and phone number with the Health Center so a consultation can occur once results are received.
Peer Health Education and the Pride Center put on this event to talk about safe-sex education, promote getting tested and offer support.
Approximately 1 million Americans are living with HIV, and of the 40,000 new cases each year, half are people under the age of 25, according to Until There's a Cure Foundation.
"The only way to stop the spread of the HIV virus is to protect yourself," said Angela Kramer, an English sophomore and student coordinator of the Pride Center.
Kramer said it is the goal of Peer Health Education and the Pride Alliance to educate Cal Poly students and the community on how to protect themselves against the pandemic.
"People should take advantage of the free testing. It can be scary getting tested alone, but offering this, students know other people are getting tested as well," said Lizzy LaMotte-Mitchell, a Peer Health Educator and political science senior. The number of people who pass it onto someone they love because they didn't know is shocking, LaMotte-Mitchell said. In fact, one in four people pass HIV onto someone else because they are unaware they are infected.
One test being offered, OraSure, only checks for HIV. The test is simple: A small pad on a plastic stick is placed between the gum and cheek, a swab is taken and the pad must remain in a closed mouth for three minutes. Since the test must be sent to a lab off campus, results will take two weeks. Students can also choose to take a blood test to test for HIV and STDs.
Usually all tests cost around $8 at the Health Center, but the Pride Alliance is supplying the free testing from its own budget. Results are confidential, but not anonymous. In order for students to get their results they must leave their name and phone number with the Health Center so a consultation can occur once results are received.
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