National HIV Testing Day

Philadelphia - June 27, 2008

In Philadelphia, State Senator Vincent Hughes and his wife, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, were at LOVE Park, taking oral HIV tests. It was part of their "Get Tested Together" campaign. They say couples who test together show a commitment to each other. "Take your partner, have the experience with them," Ralph said.

"Being tested doesn't hurt. It helps. It helps you, it helps everyone," another participant said after being tested.

In Trenton, Capital Health System saluted those involved in the HIV Awareness campaign. The government estimates that 200,000 to 300,000 Americans are HIV-positive but don't know it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports rates among drug users and heterosexuals are dropping, but among gay and bisexual men, they're steadily rising.

To find a testing site near you, visit: www.HIVtest.org