Salma Hayek is leading a group of celebrities who are urging Americans to get tested for the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus or HIV and have their results back by June 27, the 12th annual National HIV Testing Day.
Hayek and fellow celebrities Dennis Haysbert, Laura Ceron, comedienne Judy Tenuta and talk show host Cristina Saralegui are participating in a series of television and radio spots on behalf of the effort headed by the National Association of People with AIDS.
The organization says that the total number of people with HIV was about 1 million at the end of 2003, which are the latest estimates available. The group says 47 percent of people estimated to be living with HIV were black, 34 percent were white and 17 percent were Hispanic. About a quarter of infected people are said to be unaware of their infection.
“We’re working to create an informed society – one that embraces personal responsibility for HIV testing,” said Keith Folger, the group’s director of community mobilization.
“Getting tested for HIV is quick and painless and with rapid tests now available, you can get results in just 20 minutes.
The group is the oldest national AIDS organization in the United States and the oldest national network of people living with HIV or AIDS in the world.
