SAAF Expanding Testing Hours

TUCSON - The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) is expanding HIV testing hours to include two evenings a week effective Tuesday, June 2. Currently SAAF offers HIV testing through a collaboration with the Pima County Health Department at SAAF Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm by appointment or walk-in as available.

“Our hope is that by offering more opportunities for HIV testing times we’ll be able to help reduce the proportion of people living with HIV in Pima County that don’t know their status, which is currently estimated at 25%”, says Wendell Hicks, Executive Director of SAAF.

Effective June 2nd testing will be available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:00-8:00pm at SAAF located at 375 S. Euclid. There is a suggested $20.00 donation for HIV testing, but no one is refused an HIV test. All proceeds from HIV testing are used to help the program continue to offer and expand evening hours for testing. “We are hoping that by the fall, SAAF’s expanded testing program will be offered 3-5 nights a week and we will have a presence at special community events through mobile testing”, says Luis Ortega, Director of Prevention Services.

SAAF’s expanded HIV testing program uses Clearview COMPLETE HIV 1-2. The test is fast, easy, reliable, and flexible. Results can be expected in as little as 15 minutes. Clearview's innovative technology provides highly accurate detection of HIV.

Also, coming up…..NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY, JUNE 27. For more information contact at a prevention specialist at (520) 628-7223 or visit www.saaf.org.

Each year SAAF provides services to nearly 1,200 people and delivers targeted prevention outreach and education programs to over 20,000 people who are at risk for infection. For more information about the programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) or to schedule a tour of SAAF, please visit www.saaf.org or call (520) 628-7223.

SAAF’s mission is to create and sustain a healthier community through a compassionate, comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS.