It's National HIV Testing Day

So notes the Centers for Disease Control:

The majority of the estimated 56,000 new HIV infections that occur each year are transmitted by those who are unaware of their infection. Effective HIV treatments now allow people living with HIV to live long, productive lives, yet nearly 17,000 people with AIDS still die every year in the United States. Despite these troubling statistics, the majority of Americans have still never taken an HIV test. Many people don’t recognize that they’re at risk for HIV infection, even if they engage in behaviors that put them at risk. Others may fear what a positive diagnosis could mean for them, despite the effective treatments now available. And many people don’t yet realize that testing today is quick, easy and confidential. On this National HIV Testing Day, don’t let fear or misinformation stop you from getting tested. I strongly encourage all Americans to get tested for HIV, and to text and tweet hivtest.org to your friends and family to encourage them to do the same. HIV testing is the critical first step to protect yourself and your loved ones from HIV, and to help end the HIV epidemic in the United States.

In addition to the LGBT community health centers, there are many locations in New York City which offer rapid same-day HIV testing. Know your status.

CHICAGO: Anonymous Donor Offers $100K Matching Grant To LGBT Health Center

After last week's report that Chicago's Howard Brown LGBT Health Center may be forced to close due to financial mismanagement, an anonymous donor has offered to match gifts from the public up to $100,000. The offer comes from a man who credits Howard Brown with saving his son's life.

In a news conference last Thursday, Howard Brown made an unprecedented appeal to the community to help raise $500,000 in 50 days in order to sustain its health and wellness services and to keep operating. Immediately, donations of all sizes started coming in from donors willing to help keep Howard Brown open. Within five days, the organization raised $90,000 through donations – from on-line to cash donations by walk-in donors. Upon hearing the news about the crisis, one donor called Howard Brown President and CEO Jamal M. Edwards. After a brief, but emotional, conversation the donor generously offered a $100,000 challenge grant for the appeal. The donor credits Howard Brown Health Center with saving his son’s life and said, emphatically, “we can’t let this happen; we can’t let Howard Brown fail.” The challenge grant is contingent upon raising matching funds of $100,000 by Nov. 30.

Instantly double any gift to Howard Brown by donating here.