BUNNELL - The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County will be offering no cost HIV testing in recognition of National HIV Testing Day, Friday, June 26. The testing will be taking place at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County located at 301 Dr. Carter Boulevard, Bunnell.

National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign to encourage people of all ages to learn their HIV status by taking the test and taking control of their lives. In October 2014, there were 1,485 people in Volusia County living with HIV/AIDS. Early HIV diagnosis is critical, so people who are infected can fully benefit from available life-saving treatments.

• More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 7 (14%) are unaware of their infection.

• Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV.

• If you have HIV, getting medical care and taking medicines regularly helps you live a longer, healthier life and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others.

• Currently, almost 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they already have developed AIDS.

Source: Centers of Disease Control and Prevention

For more information about HIV/AIDS, please visit www.wemakethechange.com.