The Latest Information on TeenAIDS’ Guinness
World Record Testing Youth
I want
you to be the first to know that on September 7th, TeenAIDS will be setting an
important Guinness World Record for the most youths tested “live”
for HIV in a public venue at the same time. Our goal is to call attention to
the rapidly growing youth epidemic (CDC), end the stigma against testing, and
get many more teens aware of their status so they don’t unknowingly pass the
unseen virus onto unsuspecting partners – and future babies. My press release
is going out as soon as we've raised the needed funds to buy enough test kits
($39 each plus tax) and announce the number.
I need your financial help as soon as possible to buy these kits that are much too expensive
for teens and college youth (your donation is tax-deductible).
What: The FDA approved the first over the
counter sale of the test kits in mid-2012 for anyone 17 and older. Based on my
knowledge of the problem, TeenAIDS became the only entity in the U.S. to bring
testing directly to teens in public venues like busy city streets, at sports
events, malls and skateboard parks. The test uses an oral swab that collects
saliva, not blood and needles requiring lab work by medical technicians. In
20 minutes the results are ready with 99% accuracy. This new technology allows
us to use the kits as an innovative breakthrough in the fight to stop youth
HIV/AIDS. We want others to follow our
example.
In Washington, D.C. on June
13 Emma shows a high school couple how the test kit works. They tested negative
and posted the news immediately on their Facebook pages. Nathan waits for other
teens getting off at the metro stop as school gets out.
Why: Two decades ago in
my doctoral thesis "Adolescents and AIDS: The Coming Wave" (Harvard,
Ed.D.), I predicted that all maturing youth regardless of gender, ethnicity and
orientation, would be at greater risk as the average age dropped lower and
gained a foothold within the youth population. Many people scoffed at that
claim but today the evidence is real. The CDC reports that one out of four new
cases is occurring among 13-24 years olds, an amazing increase from the early years
when the number was one out of twenty. Youth are now the fastest growing
population with HIV. The CDC has recommended annual testing for everyone 13 and
up -- but with little success. Currently 90% of young people have never been
tested because they choose not to go to traditional testing sites like
hospitals and clinics. Too many still believe that AIDS is only an adult
problem. Nothing is further from the truth.
How: As many of you know, I have been an
activist in the campaign to aggressively target youth. We buy kits as money
comes in and then bring our AIDS prevention message and testing directly to often
skeptical teens. Over the years I have developed special psychological hooks to
grab their attention. My team of trained college interns put on live
demonstrations under my direction. Curious crowds always gather. Any consenting
young person 17 and older can take a free test after counseling and signing a
waiver. Many of you will be surprised that young people feel more comfortable
in a public environment because they are among empathetic peers, not serious adults
in lab coats. Others find out that the kits can be easily bought at any
drugstore for use at home similar to pregnancy tests. We never announce
positive results but explain privately that it could be "false
positive" or is indeterminate so a confirmatory test is needed (like a
second opinion from doctors).
Our first major “live” testing took place in Virginia Beach on April 7 at our “5 K Run to Stop Youth AIDS.” High School senior Candice, 18, volunteered to be tested in front of a crowd of hundreds and TV cameras. No, I didn’t race but I cheered them on as I do for all youth helping our cause.
Where: We have been testing
publicly across Virginia, rural North Carolina and downtown Washington, D.C.
(see TV links at end). Now we are taking the campaign nationwide. Starting Labor
Day, we are holding “live” demonstrations across eastern and central Massachusetts
(Boston Common, Harvard Square, Concord MBTA train station and Worcester at
Clark). And our Guinness Book of World Records' site is in Fitchburg my
hometown, at a major youth festival with music, dance and the mass testing. Interested
volunteers will step onto a stage in front of hundreds of attendees and TV
cameras from the New England media market. Doctors, nurses, social workers and
college interns are assisting during the mass testing. Bystanders always take
out their cell phones to text, video and post to Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram, bringing the news to tens of thousands in minutes. TV will inform
half a million about this unique awareness and prevention technique, another
TeenAIDS’ initiative with major local, regional and national impact.
Washington D.C. affiliates
of CBS and ABC shoot our live testing on July 9 for the evening news. Because
these are the first public events of its kind in the U.S. & world, media are
attracted
When: Saturday, September 7th at 2 pm. We
hope to have it streamed live and will post pictures immediately and videos
within a few days. Like us on Facebook.
Rationale: The majority of teens begin sex by 16.
At 18, a majority has had at least three partners often without using condoms.
The CDC estimates that 20-25% of people living with HIV don’t know their status
and are possibly transmitting the virus to others. I believe these numbers are
underreported. A major health crisis requires bold action and needs adequate
funding from concerned citizens like you. I don't deny that the concept is
controversial and upsetting to some who wonder why teens and AIDS need to be a
subject for polite public discourse. Virginia Beach, the largest city in the
state tried to ban our work with threats of $10,000 fines and possible arrest but
we proceeded nevertheless. After an official complaint was registered with Virginia's
Attorney General, our lawyer demanded that my input be heard and filed a
Freedom of Information request that was honored within two weeks. When I gave
notice of possible court action in the event of an adverse ruling, the AG’s
office declined to intercede. We won on "free speech" grounds. I
never doubted the outcome. We are now free to test anywhere.
We have secured all the necessary permits. Yet we have 2 days to pay for the liability insurance, buy tickets to Boston for me and a TeenAIDS’ coordinator, rent the tents and sound system, arrange printing and publicity -- and purchase the expensive test kits before a Guinness Book challenge can be achieved. It is my hope that our record is soon broken many times over in thousands of locations here and abroad because my goal is have as many youth tested as quickly as possible. If you have followed my career you know that I am determined to affect major changes in the ways that HIV/AIDS prevention with youth has traditionally been done.
I need your financial help as soon as possible (donations
are tax-deductible). Please call me today with
your credit/debit card and I will personally and confidentially handle your donation:
757-352-2055 (office) or 978-855-1668 (cell and best number to reach me after
August 31 when I arrive in Massachusetts for a week of testing). You can also
send money by Moneygram or Western Union care of “John Chittick” in Norfolk,
Virginia; it’s cash that will be deposited the same day. Or you can go online
to our website www.teenaids.org and securely pay by PayPal. Checks made out to
“TeenAIDS” can be sent to P.O. Box 8460, Norfolk, VA 23503.
You
can make the difference.
Together
we are educating vulnerable teens and saving young lives. From the bottom of my
heart, Dr. John
To my Massachusetts friends: I will be
holding an informational “party” in Boston on Wednesday, September 4th starting
at 5:30 pm (until 7 or so), to address a press conference about the Guinness
Record and show clips from my public testing and global walks. Mayor Thomas Menino’s
Proclamation making Friday, September 6th “Youth AIDS Day” for our Boston
Common testing will be read. The location is the trendy “Living Room Boston” Restaurant
and Lounge at 101 Atlantic Avenue in the Mercantile Wharf Building on the
Waterfront. Valet parking ($20) is available. A cash bar and appetizers can be
ordered off the menu (dinner is also served). Please feel free to bring guests.
The Living Room Restaurant
and Bar (previously “101 Atlantic”) has been long time supporters.
P.S. I
am bringing public testing to NYC (Washington Square and Times Square) over
Columbus Day weekend -- then onto LA and Miami in November.
