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On June 5, the Illinois Lottery
unveiled “Spread the Word,” the only US lottery game in which all net profits
go directly to fund HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Developed in
collaboration with Illinois-based HIV/AIDS organizations and the Illinois Department
of Health, Spread the Word is expected to add $1 million to HIV/AIDS efforts.
The Illinois Lottery has given more than $4.7 million to HIV/AIDS initiatives
since 2008. The Illinois Department of Public Health will be responsible for
administering grants from funds resulting from the Spread the Word game.
According to Michael Jones,
superintendent of the Illinois Lottery, Spread the Word aligned with the
purpose of lotteries, which was to fund “important causes” like public schools,
roads and bridges, and issues selected by the Illinois legislature, including
multiple sclerosis research, veterans’ programs, and breast cancer research.
Purchase of a $2 Spread the Word ticket conferred the chance to win $20,000.
Currently, 8,100 Illinois retail outlets offer the game to customers.
The Spread the Word launch coincided
with the Chicago National HIV Testing Collaborative’s month-long “Step Up, Get
Tested” campaign. In support of both the game and the campaign, Illinois
Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck urged Illinois
residents to take advantage of HIV testing resources, many of which are “free
and confidential.” HIV prevalence in Chicago was three times the overall US
rate, and IDPH reported 1,760 new cases of HIV/AIDS in Illinois in 2011.
Individuals may obtain information
on Step Up, Get Tested at http://www.stepupgettested.com/
Individuals may call the Illinois
AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline at 1–800–243–2437 or TTY 1–800–782–0423 for free,
confidential information about HIV/AIDS.
Individuals may text “IL” plus their
ZIP code to 36363 to learn the location of free HIV testing. Spanish speakers
may text “CENTRO” plus their ZIP code to 36363.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
