Free HIV tests to be offered Feb. 7 for AIDS awareness

Samford's Pharmacy School and FMS Pharmacy in Bessemer will be offering free HIV testing Thursday, Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

According to health officials, in 2009 44 percent of the new HIV cases were among African-Americans.

"It's so important that people be tested," said Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley in a release. "Thanks to today's treatments, HIV isn't an automatic death sentence. But you're not going to get those life-saving treatments if you don't know you need them."

The pharmacy is located at 1817 13th Ave. N. in Bessemer.

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