Philly AIDS Thrift Opens Philadelphia's Only Retail-Based Free, Drop-in HIV Testing Center Off of South Street

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Philly AIDS Thrift Opens Philadelphia's Only Retail-Based Free, Drop-in HIV Testing Center Off of South Street

Philly AIDS Thrift celebrated AIDS Education Month with the opening of the Philly AIDS Thrift HIV Testing Center inside their retail store at 710 S. 5th Street, in South Street Headhouse District. Action AIDS, Bebashi, GALAEI, Mazzoni Center and Philadelphia FIGHT will provide free, drop-in, rapid testing and related counseling services. Opening day was on National HIV Testing Day, Saturday, June 27, 2015. Testing is now offered each month from Noon to 4:00pm on the first and third Saturday and Sunday, and the second and fourth Friday and Saturday. Hours for the fifth weekend will be announced. For more information and the week’s agency schedule, visit www.phillyaidsthrift.com or call 215-922-3186. The weekly agency schedule will also be posted on Facebook and outside the store.

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Media Advisory: Grammy Nominated Hip Hop Artist Wale Headlines Friday's Hip Hop for Philly Concert

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MEDIA ALERT

THIS FRIDAY: GRAMMY NOMINATED HIP HOP ARTIST WALE HEADLINES FREE CONCERT ON NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY - OVER 1,000 YOUTH HAVE BEEN TESTED TO DATE!

Note: Free tickets are STILL available for youth 13-24 when they get an HIV test at an approved testing site in advance of the show. Media credential info is listed below.

** WHAT **
Hip Hop for Philly Concert Featuring Wale
With Special Guests: Chill Moody, ARSIN, and DJNiiLO

** WHEN **
Friday, June 27, 2014
Doors open - 7:00pm, Wale start - approximately 9:45pm, updates available on Friday

** WHERE **
Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA

** WHY **
Philadelphia FIGHT and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia seek to motivate hundreds of young people to get tested for HIV by offering a free Hip Hop Concert on National HIV Testing Day. Teenagers and young adults aged 13-24 will receive a free ticket to see Grammy nominated Hip Hop recording artist Wale if they get a free HIV test at a variety of participating locations throughout the city on or before June 27, 2014. To date, 1,000+ youth have been tested. Limited tickets remain. The list of testing sites is found: bit.ly/hiphop4philly

** MEDIA CREDENTIALS **
Approved print and television outlets will have access to shoot Wale's first three songs from a roped area in front of the stage. Before/after the performance, approved outlets are free to shoot from other spots on the first floor or from a special area on the second level. All media must respond to kory@aversapr.com or 215-840-9216 so we can arrange access. NO flash photography will be allowed.  All media must sign a waiver before entering the front of stage area.

 

Philadelphia FIGHT Honors Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, PhD at AIDS Education Month Opening Reception

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Philadelphia FIGHT Honors Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, PhD at AIDS Education Month Opening Reception

Philadelphia FIGHT kicks off AIDS Education Month with a reception at Independence Visitors Center on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Join us for a special evening of hors d’oeuvres, conversation and the presentation of the Kiyoshi Kuromiya Award. This annual award recognizes individuals and organizations that are exemplars in fighting for the rights of people with HIV. This year’s winner is Noble Prize recipient Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, PhD, who is being honored for her contributions to HIV/AIDS research and the discovery of HIV.  This event is free and open to the public. Register by visiting www.aidseducationmonth.org, or calling (215) 985-4448, ext. 200.

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Wale Announced for FREE Hip Hop for Philly Concert During AIDS Education Month

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Wale Announced for FREE Hip Hop for Philly Concert During AIDS Education Month

Philadelphia FIGHT and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia present the “Hip Hop for Philly” free concert featuring Grammy nominated and chart-topping hip hop artist Wale. Tickets can be obtained only by young people aged 13-24 who receive a free HIV test at any participating agency or one of the Hip Hop for Philly free HIV testing events throughout Philadelphia. For participating testing sites, visit here. For more about AIDS Education Month, visit the official website. 

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Philadelphia FIGHT Announces June Schedule for 20th Anniversary of AIDS Education Month

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Philadelphia FIGHT Announces June Schedule for 20th Anniversary of AIDS Education Month

Philadelphia FIGHT announces the calendar of events for the 20th annual AIDS Education Month, a one-of-a kind city-wide program held annually in June. AIDS Education Month (AEM) is a series of events, conferences and workshops to increase AIDS awareness and exchange the most up-to-date, advanced HIV information.  This year’s Honorary Chair is Representative Brian Sims. Co-chairs are Melissa Weiler Gerber, Executive Director, Family Planning Council, and Bishop Audrey Bronson, Sanctuary Church of the Open Door.  To register for any of the month’s events or for more information, please visit www.aidseducationmonth.org or call 215-985-4448, ext. 200. All AIDS Education Month events are free.

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Philadelphia FIGHT to Participate in Largest Randomized Clinical Trial Searching for a Cure for HIV

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Philadelphia FIGHT to Participate in Largest Randomized Clinical Trial Searching for a Cure for HIV

Philadelphia FIGHT, in partnership with the Wistar Institute, an international leader in biomedical research, will participate in the largest randomized trial anywhere focused on testing an easily accessible strategy to advance an HIV cure. The project is made possible by a four-year, $6.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to lead a clinical trial that seeks to "drain the viral reservoir" of the HIV-1 virus in patients with HIV/AIDS.

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Media Alert: Former Governor Ed Rendell Honored at FIGHT for Life Gala

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Media Alert: Former Governor Ed Rendell Honored at FIGHT for Life Gala

This Wednesday, Philadelphia FIGHT honors former Governor Ed Rendell at the FIGHT for Life Gala, to be held at the Union League of Philadelphia. The gala supports the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS service organization in the city – and raises funds to support FIGHT’s HIV medical care at the Jonathan Lax Treatment Center. Public support for this year's gala has been tremendous, with attendance projected to DOUBLE last year’s event.  Media information - click below. 

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Message from CEO: Philadelphia FIGHT Celebrates 20+ Years of Saving Lives

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Philadelphia Fight for Life Gala Honoring Governor Ed Rendell

Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

This year, I'm proud to serve for the first time on the host committee for the Philadelphia FIGHT's 2013 FIGHT for Life Gala. On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 we celebrate over 20 years of the FIGHT to save lives and to honor Governor Ed Rendell. I invite you to join me at the Union League and help support FIGHT's important work. 

  • Why is this important? 
  • Not familiar with FIGHT? 
  • Why should you give with all the great causes out there? 
  • Why give NOW?

Good questions! While there are many life-saving and important causes in the city (including many I support), why I signed on is because FIGHT is quietly working behind the scenes, but is in fact the most comprehensive LARGEST HIV/AIDS service organization in our city. It serves ALL Philadelphians, gay, straight, questioning, black, white, latino, homeless, etc. While this is what first got me interested, what sealed the deal my visit to one of their very unique pilot programs, the Youth Health Empowerment Project "Empowerment Center." Homeless youth and young adults can access prevention services and support, take workshops, take showers, have a safe space during the day (and even some night/weekend hours), participate in activities, enjoy two stable and solid meals a day, get tokens, clothes - or simply relax in a safe space away from the rest of the world. I hope to host a free "friend" tour of this amazing space next year! 

The other development that shows how FIGHT serves our community is the announcement of a Spanish-speaking HIV clinic to open on Dec. 11 at the North Philadelphia Prevention Point space. FIGHT is proud to open this new facility that is a first of its kind in the city. This hit the news on Thursday and is a top reason to support and give NOW!  (For more about this, visit G Philly, WHYY Newsworks and Al Dia.) 

2013 Honoree Governor Ed Rendell 

2013 Honoree Governor Ed Rendell 

FIGHT's other services include the AIDS Library, Project TEACH, Critical Path Project, HIV counseling and testing, computer labs and the Jonathan Lax Center. In the spring, I hope to host some friends on a tour of their facilities, including a stop in the Y-HEP Empowerment Center and the AIDS Library. 

While I host many (MANY!) events during the year nearly all of them are free or very inexpensive. FIGHT is one of our hand-picked charities (besides City of Hope) - and this is one of the few times a year we ask you to give and donate out of your own pocket.

Please consider joining us at the event or consider a donation of any size. Auction items are also welcome! 

For tickets, click here, call 215.525.0372 or email mmarsico@fight.org. If you want to hear more about FIGHT or take a sooner vs. later tour of FIGHT please let me know! 

Thank you for considering, and we hope to eat, drink and BID on great auction items with you on December 4th. Happy Thanksgiving if I don't see you beforehand! 

Best, Kory Aversa
CEO/ Aversa PR & Events