‘Knowing is greater than doubt,’ the singer says before National Annual HIV Testing Day.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Ciara
Photo: Rick Diamond/ Getty Images
Sunday marks the 17th year of National Annual HIV Testing Day, and as part of MTV’s GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign, R&B star Ciara wants everyone to make sure they are informed of their status.
“You gotta do it,” Ciara told MTV News’ Sway about getting tested. “Knowing is greater than doubt.”
The GYT campaign was launched to help combat STDs among young people around the country. Statistics demonstrate that young Americans must remain vigilant when it comes to STDs. One in two people will contract an STD by age 25, and many of those people will get an STD without realizing it. In addition, one out of every five people in the U.S. has HIV and doesn’t know it.
The R&B star also urges young people to get tested because knowing what’s up with your health makes it much easier to deal with: “You’ll feel so much better if you know what’s going on with your body, and you don’t want to be surprised.”
To learn how to find events and free HIV-testing locations, young people can check out MTV’s GYTnow.org. The site also has key facts about HIV/AIDS as well as ways young people can broach the subject of getting tested with their significant others.
Young people who do get tested soon will join another high-profile person who has recently committed to knowing his status. “I’m about to go get tested right now when we get done,” Sway confided in Ciara during their interview. “You convinced me.”
For her part, Ciara seemed excited that her words were having an immediate effect. “Perfect!” said the star, with a triumphant fist-pump. “It worked!”
Will you get tested? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Head to Think.MTV.com to find a community where you, your friends and your favorite celebrities can get informed, get heard and take action on the issues that matter to you most.
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