Senator Hughes and Sheryl Lee Ralph Announce New HIV Testing Initiative

Sheryl and I publicly launched our new initiative in the fight to end HIV/AIDS on June 27, National HIV/AIDS Testing Day.  Unveiled in front of the LOVE sculpture in Philadelphia, Test Together is a campaign that encourages couples to take the HIV test together.  We believe that when couples take the HIV test together, they make a powerful statement about their loyalty to each other and they also make a commitment to an informed and healthy lifestyle.

Several hundred people joined us at the announcement, including U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, PA Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin Johnson, John Cella, head of the Philadelphia AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, Argie Allen, relationship counselor, Dr. Alyn Waller, pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, and many others.  We also received special support from radio station WRNB as they broadcast live from the location.

Sheryl and I created the Test Together campaign because after almost three decades of fighting the battle on HIV, it is clear that we must constantly come up with new messages and strategies in order to make a connection and to change behaviors.

A national report indicates that half of all people living with HIV in the United States are African American.  Nearly two-thirds of all new cases of HIV are found in African American women.  AIDS is the No. 1 cause of death for African-American women ages 25 to 34, beating out heart disease, cancer and homicide.

The Principle Means of Contracting HIV is Through Heterosexual Sex 

We want people to know their HIV status.  Go to www.testtogether.org and you will be able to immediately find a testing location near you.  With the rapid HIV test available, you can find out your results in 20 minutes.

Sheryl and I believe that we can win this fight on HIV/AIDS.  A simple change of behavior is all that is necessary.  Let’s put a stop to this growing international epidemic.