A final day for HIV testing is being offered in Windsor as part of a provincial campaign.
Testing will be made available in Windsor at 511 Pelissier St. from 3pm to 6pm.
AIDS Committee of Windsor Executive Director Michael Brennan says the campaign in Ontario is inspired by the National HIV Testing Day in the US.
Brennan told AM800's 'The Afternoon News' there is still a strong stigma surrounding HIV that can prevent people from getting the help they may need.
"A lot of times people are fearful to disclose to their primary care physician and I think part of the campaign that the US builds upon is trying to get as many of the at-risk population to come in and get tested so we can get them linked to care immediately," says Brennan.
The annual HIV Testing Day held in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent was inspired by the initiative stateside.
"Canada does not have a national strategy on HIV and therefore there is no consolidated effort to move forward in having a national testing day or a national test day campaign," says Brennan.
He stresses the importance of getting tested early.
"Earlier HIV treatment can mean a significant boost to not only life expectancy, but quality of life as well," says Brennan. "We're really out there supporting a provincial initiative to get people to diagnose HIV infections early and get those individuals engaged in care."
An estimated 19% of Ontarians infected with HIV are not aware they're carrying the virus.
The first testing day as part of the campaign happened June 27, 2013 — aligning with the American campaign which kicks off at the end of June.