Taking the words “Get Real. Get Tested,” as their motto, Buncombe and surrounding counties will observe National HIV Testing Day from June 27 to 29. Local public-health agencies, along with assorted nonprofits, will provide free testing during that period, with results often available in less than an hour.
As of last year, there reportedly were 404 individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Buncombe County and nearly 20,000 across the state. Nationwide, there are more than one million people living with the deadly virus.
Along with ongoing testing at clinics around the region, the following locations will offer special hours for event:
Buncombe County Health Center
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
No appointment needed (Appointments needed at any other time.)
250-5105
Haywood County Health Department
8 a.m.–noon and 12:30-4:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary.
452-6675
Henderson County Health Department
6/27 and 6/29 8–11 a.m. and 1–3:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary (Appointments needed at any other time.)
698-6019
Madison County Health Department
6/27 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary (For appointments at any other time call 649-3531 ext.235)
Planned Parenthood
503 Biltmore Ave., Asheville
6/27 3-7 p.m.
No appointment needed (first come, first served)
For appointments at any other time, call 252-7928, ext. 1
WNC Community Health Services
10 Ridgelawn Rd., Asheville
Monday to Friday 9 a.m.–noon, 1–4 p.m.
No appointment necessary
285-0622
Green’s Mini-Mart
414 Depot St., Asheville
Wednesday, 6/27 2–6 p.m.
No appointment needed
Test results in 20 minutes
Includes additional health screenings (blood pressure, blood sugar, total cholesterol)
Refreshments provided
— Kent Priestley, staff writer
This is important to do, so all jokes aside, please get tested.
My wife will not put up with me forever, so I need to make sure that all of the loose women of ASheville are clean once I reintroduce myself to the dating world.