This year’s World AIDS Day theme is “Know your status,” encouraging every person to check their HIV/AIDS status. The DeWeese Health Center supports the 30-year anniversary, by offering free testing.

The free confidential HIV and Hepatitis C testing is sponsored by Community AIDS Network/Akron Pride Initiative (CANAPI), an organization that promotes healthy lifestyles of LGBTQ members. The organization has partnered with the DeWeese Health Center pushing the importance of getting tested.

“Our role is to find the outside organization, provide the space and coordinate appointments,” said Scott Dotterer, the coordinator of the Office of Student Health Promotion. “We want everyone to be proactive and take advantage of this option.”

CANAPI also offers free HIV testing through their program.

Each semester the Office of Student Health Promotion holds five different dates to receive free HIV testing. The process is about 30 minutes, completely confidential, and everyone receives their results at the end of the testing.

The American College Health Association and National College Health Assessment released that in Fall 2016, only 26 percent of Kent students had reported they had been tested for HIV. One purpose of this year’s theme is to eliminate the stigma that HIV testing is not empowering.

The last appointment for this semester will be held Dec. 5. There are currently 10 appointments left open and can be made between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Sierra Campbell is the Women’s and Gender Issues reporter. Contact her at [email protected].