Walgreens offers free HIV testing to mark National HIV Testing Day

Chicago, IL - Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore chain, is collaborating with the national initiative Greater Than AIDS to provide free HIV testing at 27 Chicago Walgreens stores in support of National HIV Testing Day, June 27.

National HIV Testing Day, which is marking its 20th year, was founded as a way to urge everyone to find out their HIV status.

About 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV; of those, about one in six do not know they are infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Early diagnosis and treatment can improve health, extend life and help to prevent the spread of the disease. In fact, people with HIV who take prescribed medication regularly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus by as much as 96 percent.

For the fourth straight year, Walgreens is offering the tests at more than 100 locations across the country.

Free testing in Chicago will be offered from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 27; and 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at 27 Walgreens locations in Chicago:

151 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60601; 5401 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago, IL 60609; 2340 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60612; 953 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60613; 1554 E. 55th St., Chicago IL 60615; 3405 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616; 2924 E. 92nd St., Chicago, IL 60617; 11 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL 60619; 8628 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60619; 3401 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60624; 3800 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60624; 7410 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60626; 6330 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60637; 5440 N. Clark St., Chicago IL 60640; 833 W. 115th St., Chicago, IL 60643; 5222 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60644; 1601 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647; 2015 E. 79th St., Chicago, IL 60649; 7109 S. Jeffery Blvd., Chicago, IL 60649; 912 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657; 2817 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657; 3046 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657; 3201 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60657; 3245 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657; 111 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60661; 522 Torrence Ave., Calumet City, IL 60409; 12854 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, IL 60827

No appointment is necessary and the test results will be provided on-site. Visit www.greaterthan.org/walgreens for more information.

On the Web: National HIV Testing Day, June 27, 2014