NEWS RELEASE
PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT
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Every year, communities around the world recognize Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day. HIV remains a provincial concern among people who use drugs, men who have sex with men (MSM), and people with multiple sexual partners. The Porcupine Health Unit encourages people who may be at risk to learn more, get tested and take measures to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV and other blood-borne illnesses.
“Testing is the only way to know if a person has HIV. Testing can be done through a blood draw or a rapid finger prick test,” says Patrick Nowak, Harm Reduction nurse, “Learn more about prevention, testing, and treatment of HIV and other blood-borne illnesses such as Hepatitis C, and whether testing could be indicated for you. Early testing and treatment can make a difference in your life and the lives of those close to you. Treatments are now so effective that they can eliminate the possibility of passing it on to a sexual partner. Undetectable means untransmittable.”
Once again this year, the Porcupine Health Unit has distributed scarves and mitts in downtown areas across the region. According to Nowak, the northern spin on the symbolic red ribbon commemorates World AIDS Day in the area. Each scarf includes an information card that highlights HIV prevention and some information on testing. Testing for HIV is fast, anonymous, and free. He added that any remaining scarves will be gathered and given to community members in need.
The Porcupine Health Unit is located in Northeastern Ontario, serving the entire Cochrane District and Hornepayne, in Algoma District. The main office is in Timmins, Ontario, with branch offices in Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson, Moosonee and Smooth Rock Falls.
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