LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — President Trump made a bold announcement on Tuesday night; he said he wants to end the transmission of HIV by 2030 in his State of the Union Address.
That statement sparked conversation among medical clinics and resource centers in Las Vegas.
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Every 24 hours more than one case of HIV or AIDS is diagnosed in Clark County.
Aid for Aids of Nevada is Southern Nevada's largest and oldest HIV support group, and The Center serves the LGBTQ community - both are working to eliminate that issue.
Previously, AFAN was located on the side of town where safety was a major concern for its patients.
Their new facility will better serve 1,200 clients. It is now located on 1830 E Sahara Avenue.
It also has a new lobby, office space, and upgraded screening rooms that are next to the Huntridge Family Clinic on the second floor.
“It's more cost effective, we're saving more money, we are consolidating services and programs and office space," explained Antioco Carrillo, the executive director of AFAN.
Carrillo told 13 Action News, infection rates from 2017 are higher than previous years.
"Roughly 10,000 people live in Clark County are HIV positive or living with AIDS," Carrillo said.
What motivates Connie Shearer to help at The Center is her journey living with the HIV.
"I didn't ask my husband for an HIV test before we got married and had sex," said Shearer.
Connie’s lived with the virus for 23 years.
For the past two years, she has helped connect the LGBTQ community to the services offered at The Center.
She's helping in the fight against the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS.
"Stigma is one of the leading causes of people still dying from HIV and AIDS. The stigma keeps them from getting services, keeps them from going to the doctor for testing and from going to treatment," Shearer said.
Both AFAN and The Center said funding is crucial to finding a cure.
"We need all of our research projects, we need all of the federal funding that we have been using for the last decade to continue, any interruptions in that is detrimental," said Vince Collins.
If you or someone you know needs information, please visit AFAN and The Center websites.
