WILLIAMSPORT — The program offering free at-home HIV tests to residents of local counties has been extended beyond its originally end date of Dec. 11.
An $11,000 grant from the TEGNA Foundation/WNEP-TV of TEGNA Inc. has permitted the AIDS Resource organization to acquire at-home HIV tests and mail them directly to community members across its 10-county coverage area. The goal of the campaign is to reach people in the comfort of their homes who are at risk of acquiring HIV.
The TEGNA Foundation focuses on supporting grassroots organizations who provide
social and health services to benefit “the most disadvantaged people in our community,” according to the foundation’s website.
The stay-at-home orders and quarantining have limited AIDS Resource’s testing efforts, according to Kirsten Burkhart, agency Executive Director. “It’s important for those at risk of contracting HIV to know their status, but we also must do our part to keep people safe from the pandemic,” she said. “This initiative affords us the opportunity to do both.”
The requirements for somebody to receive a test is they must be over the age of 18 years old, have participated in risky activities that could lead to HIV, and live in one of the counties in the organization’s coverage area. The following counties are in the coverage area: Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Lycoming, Potter, Snyder and Union.
Visiting aidsresource.com or calling the Williamsport office at 570-322-8448 are the two ways to request a test. After the request is submitted, a testing specialist will see if a test is right for them. Kits will be mailed to their home by Priority Mail 24 hours after the request is submitted. Curbside pickup can also be arranged. Each kit has an OraQuick HIV test, information about AIDS Resource’s services and educational materials about HIV in English and Spanish.
