Prince Harry will attend the opening of the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), HIV pop-up shop in Hackney on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.
The shop marks the launch of National HIV Testing Week (NHTW), which the charity coordinates on behalf of HIV Prevention England (HPE).
It will be open from November 15 – 24, for people to take a free self-test home with them, which requires a simple finger-prick and gives the results within fifteen minutes. THT staff and volunteers will also be in the shop to provide information on HIV, prevention and support services available for those newly diagnosed as positive.
Ian Green, CEO, Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “It’s vital that we dispel the stigma that surrounds HIV-testing, and for people to recognise it as empowering.
“Self-testing is a new innovation and a quick, easy and private option for people to find out their HIV status. It’s an effective way to improve diagnosis and reduce new transmissions.
“This National HIV Testing Week, we’re asking people to give HIV the finger by getting tested and knowing their status. Because if you’re living with HIV, you need to know about it so you can protect your health through treatment and stop onward transmission of HIV. People who are diagnosed with HIV can live long healthy lives .
“We’re delighted that Prince Harry is attending the launch of our pop-up shop in Hackney, and we welcome his continued support of organisations that are fighting to end new HIV transmissions and the damaging stigma which continues to surround the virus.”
THT will reveal the exact location of the shop, which will be open seven days of the week, nearer its launch date via social media.
For more information about National HIV Testing Week, which runs from November 18 – 25, click here:
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