HIV testing campaign celebrates saving lives

“Get Tested Coachella Valley” campaign is celebrating how far it has come.

A special event held Tuesday morning at UCR in Palm Desert revealed that over 500 people have been helped through the campaign’s efforts.

Those people are now aware of their status and are getting treated.

Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer was the special guest at the event. She spoke about the power of community collaboration to make the Desert Aids Project campaign a success.

“The Desert Aids Project came up with it, it’s brilliant. Everyone collaborated. and because of the expansion of Medicaid, we have saved 500 lives and countless other lives because those folks could have transferred the HIV virus to others,” Senator Boxer said.

Senator Boxer also talked about the current health care revisions being considered and said cutting into Medicaid and Medicare would negatively affect programs like the “Get Tested” campaign.

Video messages from President Bill Clinton and Congressman Raul Ruiz were also delivered.