SIMPSON BAY–St. Maarten AIDS Foundation will be hosting a Domino Competition at Soggy Dollar Bar on Saturday, December 1, from 10:00am, and will be on site offering free HIV testing, in commemoration of World AIDS Day.
The Domino Competition will be hosted by King Rumer. All proceeds from this event will go towards the foundation, which is urging the public to come out in numbers to offer their support and have some fun, while getting to know their HIV status.
World AIDS Day is observed on December 1, of each year. “It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the response against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness,” the foundation said in a press release on Monday.
Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day. With the continuous improvement of treatment and prevention options, which are also available on St. Maarten, it is important that everyone knows their HIV status and has access to treatment if necessary, the foundation said.
“Stigma and some level of discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS remain high, despite the fact that most people by now know HIV is almost exclusively transmitted by unprotected sex with an infected person and not through casual contact. Reducing this stigma and discrimination is essential to respond to the epidemic effectively and prevent persons living with HIV and persons from higher risk groups to stay underground and difficult to reach with prevention/care/treatment.”
The foundation said World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away. In reality, the number of persons living with HIV is still rising, but new infections are stabilizing. “There is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.”
St. Maarten AIDS Foundation thanked sponsors of its domino competition and its free testing as
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/83061-aids-foundation-to-host-fundraiser-free-testing-dec-1
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