kathy ireland® Worldwide Joins Forces With Molecular Testing Labs® to Offer HIV Testing Solutions For World AIDS Day 2018

VANCOUVER, Wash., Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®) and Molecular Testing Labs® (MOLECULAR) are collaborating to make at-home HIV testing available for $25 in support of World AIDS Day 2018. From December 1st through December 7th, individuals can purchase self-collect HIV testing kits for a flat fee of $25.00 directly at www.myhometests.com. While most people understand the importance of HIV testing, far too many people aren't testing as part of a normal routine. The kiWW® and MOLECULAR partnership aims to provide knowledge that testing can now be performed in the privacy of a home, at an affordable price. Through this newly available testing method, we can empower individuals to make informed life decisions about HIV prevention and treatment in order to protect them and their loved ones.

Upon ordering, HIV test kits are delivered directly to the requested address in a discreet package. The HIV test is a self-administered dry blood spot card with simple-to-follow instructions. These self-collected specimens are mailed back to MOLECULAR in a provided envelope for processing and reporting, and the testing results are accessible from a private account on any device. MOLECULAR partners with PWN Health to ensure proper physician oversight in the process, and to provide independent physician consults when needed.

Together, kiWW® and MOLECULAR are taking an active stance to spread the word that affordable, self-collect HIV testing is available, discreet testing is accessible, timely treatment is attainable and that there is hope for health and well-being.

Kathy Ireland, a Brand Ambassador and a leading worldwide advocate for disease prevention, treatment, and whenever possible, cures, continues to expand consumer awareness of this modern access point for testing alongside MOLECULAR. Ms. Ireland explains, "There is no comfort in ignorance. Having experienced people facing terminal disease and death, when it could have been prevented, is heartbreaking. There is treatment. Please, for your sake, and the sake of those close to you… Know your status. If you need treatment, please seek it. This isn't something that is said often enough. The repetition is deliberate. Too many people are needlessly dying from infections. Elizabeth Taylor often said 'No one should die of ignorance.'"

The vital work of raising awareness about testing and prevention still stands despite significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS over the span of 30 years. Unfortunately, many individuals living with HIV are not aware of their status. More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV today. 1 in 7 of them don't know it. Approximately 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by people who are living with undiagnosed HIV. Stigma and discrimination still deter people from requesting HIV testing. Almost 8 in 10 HIV patients in the United States report feeling an internalized HIV-related stigma, according to a CDC study. Access to confidential HIV testing is still an issue of concern. Many individuals still only get tested after becoming ill and symptomatic. For those who are sexually active, testing should be simple and routine in maintaining a healthy life and reducing the spread of HIV.

HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age. However, certain groups are at higher risk for HIV and merit special consideration because of particular risk factors. Gay and bisexual men have the largest number of new diagnoses in the United States. Blacks/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Also, transgender women who have sex with men are among the groups at highest risk for HIV infection, and injection drug users remain at significant risk for getting HIV. The only way to know for sure whether an individual has HIV is to get tested. CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 gets tested for HIV as part of routine health care. Individuals knowing their HIV status are equipped to make informed decisions and take the necessary steps to keep themselves and their partner(s) healthy.

About Molecular Testing Labs

Molecular Testing Labs is a CLIA and CAP accredited, state-of-the-art, esoteric and reference laboratory. Specializing in high-complexity, Molecular testing with an extensive portfolio of services including infectious disease, toxicology, targeted sequencing, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and high-resolution immune profiling. Molecular Testing Labs offers a variety of clinical trial services comprising of assay development, trial site training, investigator support, and customized reporting. Molecular Testing Labs applies the maximum level of control to obtain the most consistent and highest quality results. Molecular Testing Labs is founded on three guiding principles – Compliance, Innovation, and Partnership. For more information, please visit our corporate website: https://www.Moleculartestinglabs.com. For more information on products, please visit
the brand website: https://myhometests.com.

About kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®)

kiWW® is listed as one of the most powerful brands in the world by License Global Magazine. Kathy Ireland is named one of the 19 most influential women in licensing by License Global magazine and according to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion. Furniture Today names Kathy one of the most influential leaders in the furniture industry. Kathy graces the cover of Forbes Magazine twice (2012, 2016). kiWW® is responsible for billions of dollars in retail sales. kiWW® is the recipient of multiple awards including several Good Housekeeping Seals. Kathy and kiWW® support many non-profits including YWCA Greater Los Angeles for which she is an Ambassador, Dream Foundation, Providence Educational Foundation, 911 for Kids/AEF, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Kathy is named an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

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