Every Dec. 1, people across the world come together for World AIDS Day—to support those living with HIV and remember those lost to AIDS.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation (CBWF) is partnering with the community to raise awareness and promote HIV testing.
This week, the foundation honors those whose lives have been lost and continues to fight to end HIV stigma.
The foundation is expanding access to care for individuals seeking to get tested by extending its hours for free HIV care.
Andrea Harrod said that starting Tuesday, Dec. 2, six individuals can visit the agency and view the national AIDS quilts.
CBWF’s Director of Client Services, Harrod, adds, “This is the largest community art project, and these are a tapestry of individuals who’ve lost their lives to AIDS related illnesses since 1981, so they will be on display all week.”
Harrod said the mother of Ryan White, an American teenager who became a national symbol in the 1980s for people living with HIV/AIDS, will be at the agency as a guest speaker on Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m. to talk more about Ryan’s story.
CBWF has an extensive network of providers that offer services to persons living with HIV. As a community, its goal is to provide quality care and services that maximize the health and wellness of the Texas Gulf Coast residents living with HIV.
Harrod adds, “Our agency services about 600 to 700 people living with HIV through medical case management, support case management, and then we provide HIV and STI testing to about 1,500 individuals. We’re diagnosing about 25 individuals with newly diagnosed HIV every year.”
If you are interested in getting tested, walk-ins and appointments are welcome. Call (361) 814-2001, ext. 208.