TV presenter Dr Christian Jessen, Erasure frontman Andy Bell, comedian Joe Lycett, Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou and The Feeling frontman Dan Gillespie Sells are among the famous gay men pledging their support for this year’s National HIV Testing Week from November 22-29.
“Dr Christian Jessen, presenter of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, said: “I fully believe that one day, we will stop HIV in its tracks. Organisations like Terrence Higgins Trust are already doing great work in driving down undiagnosed infections, but they can’t do it on their own. Supporting National HIV testing Week is something every one of us can do to show we still care about HIV, and we still want to keep ourselves and others safe.”
Dan Gillespie, lead vocalist with The Feeling, added: “It’s incredible how quick and easy tests are these days. They take a pin-prick of blood from your finger, and you have your results within minutes. You can even fit a test in to your lunch break. I’ll be telling every gay man I know to get involved this November, and I hope you will too.”
Erasure frontman Andy Bell, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1998, said: “When I was tested for the second time and found out I was HIV positive, I thought my world was going to collapse and cave in but thankfully this test actually saved my life. The sooner you find out whether you are positive (or negative), the sooner you can start your combination therapy and get the virus under control and live your life normally.”
Actor Charlie Condou, who plays Marcus Dent in Coronation Street, said: “Knowing your HIV status is so important. If you’re positive, it means you can access the meds you need to stay fit and well, and if you’re negative, it’s a great way to get peace of mind. We each have a responsibility to keep HIV in check, and testing is just one thing we can do to keep fighting the virus.”
Comedian Joe Lycett concluded, saying: “I’m proud to support the very important National HIV Testing Week. If you’re sexually active (lucky you!) it’s so important to get tested for HIV. Most transmission is from someone who doesn’t know they have it and the test is really quick and simple and will help stop the spread of this dreadful virus.”
National HIV Testing Week runs from Friday 22 – Friday 29 November, and coincides with the first ever European HIV Testing Week.
Gay and bisexual men have already been making pledges of support for the week on a new section of the It Starts With Me website (www.startswithme.org.uk), coordinated by HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust and HIV Prevention England.
To pledge your support for National HIV Testing Week Please, CLICK HERE:
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