Quest Diagnostics Contributes $5,000 to Non-Profit With Most HIV Testing Pledges

Quest Diagnostics supports National HIV Testing Day through both the creation of a 'pledge' campaign and giving back to local non-profit organizations that support those living within the LGBTQ community and those living with HIV/AIDS.

The pledge campaign took place in both the Miami, FL area and Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. Approximately 15 non-profit organizations participated. The campaign ran during the month of June, and the organization with the most pledges in the end took home a generous donation from Quest Diagnostics.

Quest Diagnostics created a microsite where the pledges were captured. Also, the microsite provided useful information about the 'Power of Knowing,' including general information about HIV, statistics, risks and how to get tested. Quest Diagnostics has long been committed to educating the public and supporting those in need.

"As the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, Quest's goal is to empower people to take action to improve health outcomes," said Patrick Plewman, General Manager, Infectious Disease, and Immunology / General Health and Wellness Franchises. "As of 2014, an estimated 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV and less than half have ever been tested for the HIV virus. In fact, one in seven people is unaware they are infected with HIV. These statistics underscore the need for comprehensive HIV screening and an increased dialogue among physicians and patients about the importance of HIV screening and detection. HIV screening and detection can provide the important insights to help guide decisions for better health outcomes and a healthier world for people at risk for and infected with HIV."

Two well-known individuals within the HIV community, Maria Mejia and Josh Robbins, joined the campaign and produced video messages stating their 'reasons' to get tested. Josh Robbins, of I'm Still Josh, stated "The awareness campaign featuring videos by Maria and I was memorable and powerful because it allowed us to speak directly to consumers in an honest and authentic way and share our personal stories and reasons to know your status."�

"We are thrilled to announce that the OUTMiami Foundation received the most pledges and will be receiving the donation," said Jaime Bayo, Executive Director of the OUTMiami Foundation. "HIV/AIDS is an issue that impacts the work of every single LGBTQ organization because of the disproportionate impact it has on all members of our community."

OUT Miami Foundation is Miami's local LGBTQ Community Foundation and as such we support a spectrum of local LGBTQ-serving organizations through grant making and capacity-building programs. Winning this challenge grant will support our community-building grants and engagement programs which impact many people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS."

Quest Diagnostics has been working to better the lives of people at risk for and living with HIV/AIDS since the 1980s. Quest Diagnostics has provided long-term support for the HIV community and is dedicated to advancing disease management through fostering partnerships with organizations making an impact in the HIV community to expand the number and reach of HIV-related educational programs for patients and physicians as well as provided grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers, HIV/AIDS clinics and other community groups to provide free or discounted screening for HIV and other infectious diseases.

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 45,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives.

For more information, visit QuestDiagnostics.com.