Press Release
After months of balancing on-line and off-site appointments for its diverse clientele, Palmetto Community Care (PCC) is resuming a fuller schedule of in-office appointments for testing and counseling starting Monday, June 22nd.
Open to anybody 16 or older, by appointment, PCC will commemorate National HIV Testing Day with a robust appointment schedule. The week is inspired by National HIV Testing Day, which is Saturday, June 27th. While PCC will be closed that day, their social media channels will be filled with helpful advice on preventing and managing HIV-AIDS and STI's.
Inspired by the national campaign theme of “Knowing,” the prevention staff at PCC places special focus on the power that comes from knowing one's HIV status. All clients visiting the center for testing will also receive counseling. All testing is done on-site; and often, results can be obtained within minutes. All clients are protected by strict confidentiality rules; information collected is self reported and no ID is required.
Testing is open to anybody by appointment only (no drop-ins) by calling (803) 216-5108 or emailing prevention@palmettocare.org. All clients will receive a “safe sex goodie bag” for just participating. Testing hours, locations, and areas of focus are as follows:
- Monday 9 am to 3 pm tests are available to all, with special incentives for new PReP patients. Appointments will be available at both PCC and its affiliated health center, Truesdale Medical Center.
- Wednesday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm testing is available to all, with special incentives for members of the Transgender and LatinX communities (staff will endeavor to make more translation time available for patients requiring it).
- Friday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm testing is available to all, with special incentives for people identifying as “Queer” and for African American men who have sex with men.
After observing National HIV Testing Day all week, Palmetto Community Care will continue to test by appointment only on Mondays and Wednesdays 9am – 3pm.
Palmetto Community Care provides complete, compassionate care and referrals to those living with HIV and AIDS in the greater Charleston area. Onsite services include medical case management, basic (non criminal) legal services, housing assistance, access to nutritional support medications, and more. The center is located at 3547 Meeting Street Road. Visit www.palmettocommunitycare.org for more information.
