Our first National HIV Testing Day was a success, and we offer thanks everyone who helped make it possible. The Guilford County Health Department was on site offering a full screen for HIV and STDs, and for the first time at THP, we offered rapid HIV testing! Ten people tested with us that day, and it's our hope to hold another rapid testing event at THP in the near future. 

We also partnered with our good friends at Walgreens to offer HIV testing Thursday June 27 through Saturday June 29. As one of our cherished community partners, we offer a special thank-you to the staff of Walgreens on Cornwallis Drive, listed as a Walgreens National HIV/AIDS Center of Excellence, for their compassionate service to our community. 

Our goal for next year is to ramp-up media coverage for National HIV Testing Day via Facebook, local news and radio coverage, and flyers to increase testing, reduce the stigma that surrounds HIV/STD testing, and reduce stigma toward those living with HIV. 

Director of Prevention and Education 

Denver Rice Salad

(Serves 6)

• 1 cup organic wild rice
• 1½ cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• ¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp dried thyme leaves
• ¼ tsp dried, crushed sage leaves
• 3 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp olive oil
• kernels from 1 ear of fresh corn
• 2 Tbsp diced red onion
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ cup organic dried cherries (chopped to make 2 Tbsp)
• ¼ cup thinly sliced almonds, broken into small pieces 

In a medium saucepan, bring broth, salt, pepper, thyme leaves and sage leaves to a boil. Add rice, stirring into broth mixture. When broth/rice mixture returns to a boil, cover the pan and reduce heat to simmer for approximately 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the broth is almost absorbed. Stir the corn kernels into the hot rice mixture in the pan, and then add the onion, cilantro, chopped dried cherries and almonds. Mix the white balsamic vinegar and the olive oil together in a small bowl, then toss the vinegar/oil with the rice mixture until blended.  Can be served warm, at room temperature or chilled.