(Mandaluyong City). The LoveYourself, Inc. redefines its semi-annual community-based HIV screening day by extending loving oneself to also taking care of friends with its new campaign, the #LoveSquad.
“We chose LoveSquad for this HIV screening day, because it is always better to have friends supporting one another, especially to potentially life changing events in their lives, like knowing one’s HIV status,” said LoveYourself, Inc. Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan.
This year’s #LoveSquad is led by Blued ambassador Sebastian Castro and Fifth Solomon, who urge groups and individuals to know their HIV status.
LoveYourself also encourages all fitness buffs, jet-setters, bookworms, and all lovers of life out there to #LoveSquad on 26 November 2017 (Sunday) at Victoria Court Malate as it offers a fast, easy, and totally anonymous HIV screening day.
The event starts from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and interested clients should register at go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad.
Pagtakhan pointed out, “The objective of #LoveSquad is to reach out to key-affected populations like the youth to promote HIV screening as a regular part of one’s self-care routine and of course, to remove its stigma.”
Targeting the millenials and beyond, #LoveSquad is LoveYourself’s response to the growing number of HIV cases in this age bracket.
According to the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau data, a total of 1,013 individuals were diagnosed in June, to which twenty-seven (27) years old is the median age. In particular, the age group 25-34 years old composed the half of the newly diagnosed individuals with HIV and about 32% were aged 15-24 years old.
LoveYourself’s army of trained counselors will assist clients as they undergo HIV screening and the results will only take up to 15-20 minutes.
On results reliability, #LoveSquad will use the 3rd generation rapid test kits for its accuracy as previously tested.
The #LoveSquad is also LoveYourself’s contribution to the commemoration of World AIDS Day, apart from its major participation in holding the first Love Gala -the Asia’s Premier and Awards Gala which also cover the pioneer Ripple Awards for outstanding HIV and AIDS movers in the Philippines and Asia.
#LoveSquad is supported by DOH- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Blued, Victoria Court, and Save the Children.
For more details on #LoveSquad and other LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.
LoveYourself has two established community-based clinics – LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw and LoveYourself Uni in Taft-Buendia. Both clinics are open every Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12:00 nn -7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m.
