World AIDS Day - Dec. 1, 2014 

ORLANDO — December 1 is World AIDS Day, a time to remember those who we have lost to this pandemic, and this year marks the 26^th anniversary of World AIDS Day. The theme this year is “Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS-Free Generation.”  The slogan for World AIDS Day underscores the importance of awareness of the disease and the global commitment needed to achieve this goal. 

“Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. All adults and adolescents should have a routine HIV test to make sure they know their status,” said Debbie Tucci, HIV/AIDS Program Manager at the Department of Health in Orange County.   

The following events, which will include free testing, will be taking place in Orange and Seminole Counties to increase awareness and education: 

Monday, December 1, 2014           

-World AIDS Day Commemoration                                                    

Lake Eola Bandshell                                                                     

195 N. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando                                                    

6:00-8:00 p.m., Testing begins at 4:00 p.m.               

-Free HIV Testing

Walgreens

408 E Michigan St, Orlando, FL

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.                  

-Free HIV Testing

Department of Health in Seminole County

400 West Airport Boulevard

Sanford, FL

8:00 - 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. 

Florida has been heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The state continues to rank third in the nation in the cumulative number of AIDS cases (126,581 in 2012) and second in the nation in the cumulative number of HIV cases (49,058 in 2012). Orange County ranks third in the state for HIV and AIDS cases. In Central Florida’s Area 7 region, (Orange, Osceola, Brevard, and Seminole counties) there 12,281 persons living with HIV in this Central Florida region and 5,978 cases living with AIDS. 

The Florida Department of Health has developed a comprehensive program for preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and for providing care and treatment to those already infected. This comprehensive approach includes HIV surveillance, education, prevention, counseling, testing, care and treatment. Click here, for more information on these services. 

For more information on HIV/AIDS, visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/aids/index.html 

For more information on World AIDS Day events, call the Heart of Florida United Way at 407-429-2197