About:

 

In North Carolina, about 36,800 people are living with HIV or AIDS, of those, an estimated 3,400 are unaware they are living with the disease, reported North Carolina Public Health and Human Services.

 

Since 1986, Triad Health Project, a nonprofit located in Greensboro, has been trying to close this gap through education, prevention and care. Originally, the group began with 14 people that wanted to give their friends a way to receive care and to “die with dignity.”

 

“People don’t get into care because of stigma around [HIV/AIDS],” said Paula Barger, the development director for Triad Health Project. “We want people to be, not fearful, but vigilant – get tested and know their status.”

 

Today, the nonprofit is the main HIV/AIDS educator and service provider for Guilford County.

 

Triad Health Project offers two levels of free case management assistance, serving a total of 550 people each year. The first level is regular case management services, while the second level provides medical case management, helping by educating about HIV medication, ways to find housing and stopping addiction.

 

They also serve patients with free, confidential testing, where they will receive results in just two weeks.

Monday nights they have a walk-in clinic from 5-7 p.m. and Wednesday’s from 1-3 p.m. The only piece of information needed for a checkup is an ID.

 

“If people get treatment, they can basically expect to live a normal, healthy lifespan comparable to someone without HIV would have, but it does require them to be treatment adherent,” Barger said.

However, Barger also mentions that receiving help and medication is not a single ordeal, but an ongoing one to make sure there are no complications.

 

Triad Health Project is part of two achievements in the area.

 

First, the nonprofit is in partnership with Higher Ground Day Center. The organization, originally known as GRAIN, began 19 years ago as an interface between churches and worship centers to assist people with HIV/AIDS.

 

Today the organization has several support groups with those specifically for men, women, healthy living, addiction, HIV, art and more.

 

“It is so unique as a place or modality for healing,” Barger said. “People hold each other accountable.”

The Higher Ground Day Center is always looking for volunteers to prepare meals.

 

Triad Health Center also hosts an annual Walk and 5K fundraiser. When the event began 26 years ago, it was known as the Winter AIDS Walk. In 2017, they changed the name to the Ron Johnson Red Ribbon Run & AIDS Walk.

 

For more information about Triad Health Project, visit their website listed above.