Cummings Acknowledges 24th Annual World AIDS Day
Dec 1, 2012 Issues: Healthcare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings released the following statement recognizing the 24th annual World AIDS Day:
“It is with great hope and somberness that I stand with citizens all over the world to recognize World AIDS Day today,” Cummings said. “While the occasion continues to inspire hope for a cure and greater prevention and intervention tools, it is also a reminder of the many friends and loved ones lost to this horrible epidemic.
“My prayer is that one day there will no longer be a need for a World AIDS Day. Until then, I hope that World AIDS Day will stand as a reminder to us all to be aware, to get educated, and to continue to support the critical research necessary to eradicate this devastating disease.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the state of Maryland had the second highest AIDS diagnosis rate for all ages in 2010. That same year, the Baltimore City Health Department found that Baltimore and its surrounding counties ranked 3rd among major metropolitan areas in the nation for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Several local health departments are offering free HIV/AIDS testing to commemorate World AIDS Day 2012:
Saturday, Dec. 1st
- The Baltimore City Health Department HIV STD Prevention Program will provide testing at Lexington Market (Paca Street) from 1 – 4 pm and City Hall/War Memorial Plaza (100 Holliday Street) from 4 – 7 pm.
Sunday, Dec. 2nd
- The Baltimore City Health Department HIV STD Prevention Program will provide testing at Speak to My Heart Ministries (3903 West Belvedere Avenue) from 9:30 am – 1 pm.
Monday, Dec. 3rd
- The Baltimore County Department of Health will provide testing at Towson Health Center (1046 Taylor Avenue, Towson MD) from 10 am – 7 pm.
- The Howard County Health Department provides testing every Monday from 1 pm – 4 pm at the North Laurel Community Center (9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel MD).
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