Students in a Fresno State “Human Sexuality” course are conducting a “Test Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself” campaign to alert students to the dangers of sexually transmitted infections and prevention measures.

The effort culminates 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in the Free Speech Area, when confidential testing will be conducted in a Fresno County Health Department HIV/AIDS mobile center. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte will distribute informational literature and free condoms. Both organizations are co-sponsors.

A similar testing day was conducted at Fresno State in April.

Student organizer Elissa N. Gill said she’s taking action because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 1.2 million new cases of the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia in 2009 in the United States.

“I aspire to influence my generation to take an active role in their sexual health,” said Gill.

Dr. Gregory Thatcher, who teaches the course, said, “One purpose for holding it in the middle of campus is to reduce the stigma of getting testing. It proves people are more concerned about their health and that they are willing to take necessary measures.”

Those tested Monday receive a free event t-shirt and food from Dog House Grill.

For more information, contact Gill at 559.679.2443 or egill08@mail.fresnostate.edu or Thatcher at 559.278.8807 or gthatcher@csufresno.edu.

University Communications news interns Reganie Smith-Love contributed to this report.

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