SEN. HUGHES AND SHERYL LEE RALPH ENCOURAGE COUPLES TO TEST TOGETHER ON NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

            PHILADELPHIA, June 20 – On June 27, 2008, National HIV/AIDS Testing Day, Pennsylvania State Sen. Vincent Hughes and his wife, actor and activist, Sheryl Lee Ralph will announce the official launch of their landmark " Get Tested Together" campaign. They will be joined beginning at 11 a.m. in Love Park at 16th and JFK Blvd, by a host of loving couples who have agreed to join this effort.

“HIV/AIDS remains a constant and growing health threat around the world, and especially in American cities”, commented Ralph.  “It is an equal opportunity disease and we are all at risk.  We are encouraging everyone to join us as we take a new approach to this growing epidemic.”

"Sheryl and I believe that we can win on the issue of stopping HIV”, said Hughes (D-Philadelphia).  “Everyone must engage in the struggle and the best way to start is by knowing your own status.  It is an incredibly strong statement when couples can test together.  It shows a commitment to their own health, and it makes a bold admission of their commitment to each other, and how they want to carry out their relationship. ”

Of the more than one million people living with HIV in the United States of America today, nearly half are black. One in 50 African American males and one in 160 African American females is infected with the virus. And yet, as a racial group, African Americans represent just 12 percent of the U.S. population.

“Get Tested Together”, is an ongoing public awareness effort which will be implemented through billboards, radio, TV and print material advertisements and articles.  Couples as well as individuals can also go to the web site, www.testtogether.org, and indicate their interest in joining this effort.