The Chicago HIV Testing Collaborative ( CHTC ) launched its fourth annual "Step Up. Get Tested. "( SUGT ) campaign June 5 at the State of Illinois James R. Thompson Center plaza. This year the campaign has partnered with Harmony Health Plan of Illinois, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc., on the monthlong initiative to get people tested at a variety of Chicagoland locations.
As a result of Harmony Health Plan's involvement, SUGT will include not only HIV testing but also testing for hepatitis C, diabetes and blood pressure. By offering to test for other things outside of HIV, SUGT is hoping that more people will decide to get tested.
"The SUGT Chicago HIV Testing Collaborative is elated to have Harmony as a partner," said Anne Carmack of The CORE Foundation, a 501c3 affiliate of the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, CHTC's fiscal agent. "This partnership has allowed CHTC to greatly expand its SUGT campaign components relative to past years."
More than 30 hospitals, governmental entities and non-profit organizations have joined forces this year, including the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Cook County Health & Hospitals Systems, the Chicago Department of Health, the Illinois Department of Health, Howard Brown Health Center, Puerto Rican Cultural Center-Vida/SIDA, and Test Positive Aware Network. Abbvie Pharmaceutical Company, another partner, has donated testing supplies to the SUGT initiative.
The co-chairs for this year's campaign are Bianca Davis ( EIS specialist and outreach health educator for South Suburban HIV/AIDS Regional Clinics ), Ebony Barney ( prevention manager for TPAN ) and Robin Booker ( health educator and outreach coordinator for Austin CBC Initiative ).
Among the speakers at the rally were Nicole Harvey ( representative for Rep. Danny Davis ), Dr. Julie Morita ( commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health ), Dr. Robert Hilliard Jr. ( president of Harmony Health Plan ), Annika Lane ( general manager of US Virology, Abbvie ), Serette B. King ( manager of outreach services at Howard Brown Health Center ), Vanessa Smith ( executive director Southside Help Center ), Omar Lopez ( director of CALOR ) and John Peller ( president/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago ).
Prior to the speakers' remarks, approximately 500 people received safe-sex kits from SUGT volunteers.
The rally served as a kickoff for a series of testing opportunities and social events that will take place throughout the Chicagoland area during the month of June with the final event, "Progress at Montrose Festival," taking place on June 28 ( the day of the Chicago Pride Parade ), 10 a.m.-8 p.m. just steps away from Montrose Beach.
"Testing Across Chicagoland" began on June 5 at the 18th and Paulina Pink Line 'L' station, Central and Lake Green Line 'L' station, Jeffrey and 71st Red Line 'L' station, the Harvey Bus Terminal, the Howard Red Line 'L' station and at the Norwegian American Hospital in Humboldt Park.
Testing will also take place every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—June 12 at the Wilson Red Line 'L' station, June 19 at the Pulaski and Lake Green Line 'L' station and June 26 at the 47th and King Green Line 'L' station.
Four social events will also be taking place to encourage people to get tested. They include Fahrenheit Chicago Back2Basics Ball at the Chicago Illuminating Company ( 2110 South Wabash ) June 6, 1-6 p.m.; Fahrenheit Chicago Soul Music Festival in the Park, 3900 S. Lake Shore Dr., June 7, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; a youth skate party for 13- to 20-year-olds at Markham Roller Rink, 16630 Dixie Hwy. in Markham, Illinois ) June 13, 4:30-7:30 p.m.; and another youth skate party for the same age range at The Rink, 1122 E. 87th Str., on National HIV Testing Day, June 27. Free testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, diabetes and blood pressure will be available at every event. Admission and skate rental are free for attendees of both skate parties who SUGT.
The initiative will also include bus shelter and billboard advertisements to encourage Chicagoland residents to SUGT.
See www.stepupgettested.com for more information .
