In order to encourage people to get tested, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County is joining community partners to host several events in observance of National HIV Testing Day on Saturday, June 27, 2015.  The theme of this year’s campaign is “Getting to Zero” which summarizes the department’s goal for ZERO new HIV infections, ZERO deaths from AIDS-related illnesses, and ZERO discrimination.

“Testing is very important because many people who are living with HIV are unaware of it. Not knowing your status could be as dangerous as playing Russian Roulette,” said Dr. Kevin M. Sherin, director for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. “Routine HIV testing protects individuals, partners and the community's health.”

In Orange County, free and confidential HIV testing will be offered starting on Thursday, June 25, 2015, and will be available at the following locations:

• June 25, 2015
  • 10am-4pm
    • Walgreens, 408 E. Michigan St. Orlando, FL 32806
    • Walgreens, 1111 W. Vine St. Kissimmee, FL 34741
  • 11am-4pm
    • Walgreens, 2501 S. French Ave. Sanford, FL 32773
• June 26, 2015
  • 10am-4pm
    • Community Food & Outreach Center,150 W. Michigan St. Orlando, FL 32806
    • Walgreens, 2814 W. Kennedy Blvd., Orlando, FL 32810
    • Walgreens, 5185 North Ln. Orlando, FL 32808
• June 27, 2015
  • 10am – 4pm
    • Walgreens on Colonial & Bumby.

On June 27, there will also be a Block Party at the Pleasant View Baptist Church at 1202 Central Ave. Apopka, Florida 32703 from 12 to 4pm.

The Florida Department of Health estimates that approximately 130,000 individuals are living with HIV disease in Florida. If people are unaware of their HIV status they are not getting the treatment they need to stay healthy and may pass the virus on to others without knowing it.

For more information, on National HIV Testing Day, go to https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/aids/index.html.