Local organization does their part for World AIDS Day

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Today across the globe is World AIDS Day, and one local organization is doing their part to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The Middle Georgia Sisterhood, established in 1999, was created for the specific purpose to bring about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention for men and women.

Today at the Macon campus of Middle Georgia State University, they sponsored an event to give the student body free HIV tests.

“It’s very important we… everyone… know their HIV status,” said Beverlyn Jackson, the Sisterhood’s health coordinator.

She said that nearly half of all cases diagnosed in the United States last year came from the southern portion of the country.

“We’ve had over 1.5 million newly diagnosed cases in 2015 alone,” Jackson said.

Anyone wanting a test had two options: You could have blood drawn from your finger, or an oral swab along your gums. Results took less than 15 minutes.

So far, the disease has been responsible for 35 million deaths worldwide, but with proper treatment, a person living with HIV can have a nearly normal lifespan.

For those interested, the Middle Georgia Sisterhood will hold a prayer service Thursday night at Steward Chapel AME Church in downtown Macon from 6 p.m. to around 7:30.

There will also be a balloon release Friday evening at 5:15 p.m. at Rosa Parks Square across from the Macon Government Center.