One local company has made it possible to learn your HIV status within the privacy of your own bedroom, and recently launched a new effort to encourage healthy living through knowing your status. OraSure Technologies, Inc., based in Bethlehem, is the manufacturer of the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, which uses an oral swab and takes 20 minutes to detect an individual’s HIV status. OraQuick, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July, is the only rapid over-the-counter HIV testing kit approved in the country. It hit shelves in October. On March 25, OraQuick launched its latest initiative, the “Make Knowing Your Thing Today” campaign, which OraSure senior vice president of corporate communication Ron Ticho said highlights the importance of HIV screening. “The campaign is about stressing the importance of knowing your HIV status,” Ticho said. “Knowing is important, but the decision to get tested is not easy. Everyone follows a different path to testing and has different reasons for doing so. We hope as a company, we can help fuel the dialogue around HIV and about HIV.” Former Los Angeles Lakers point guard and HIV/AIDS advocate Earvin “Magic” Johnson teamed up with OraSure for the campaign. The campaign invites individuals to share their stories about their HIV testing experience and what inspired them to get tested via videos, photos or short statements. A winner will be chosen from public votes and with input from a panel of judges, and will be featured in a future OraQuick promotion. Ticho said he hopes the campaign will inspire others to take steps to learn their status. “We know that more than 1.2 million of individuals have HIV, but close to 240,000 are unaware of their status, so testing is so critical because, once individuals know their status, they will reduce their risky behavior,” he said. “We are hopeful that as people share their story, it will inspire others to make knowing their thing as well. I think that is so important for individuals who do test and find out they are positive, that they be linked into care and receive appropriate treatment.” Ticho noted the company employs a support center that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with bilingual individuals trained in counseling to help consumers with the kit or their results. As HIV/AIDS is now more of a “livable” disease, Ticho noted testing remains more crucial than ever, so that people don’t get complacent. “Early detection is so critical, so I think that this enables individuals who currently test to test more frequently, especially for individuals who are sexually active,” he said. “They now have the convenience to go purchase it and do it in the privacy of their home. This is also an additional option for those who have put off getting tested.” Ticho said the company has been working to get the word out about the campaign and the kit to various communities, including the LGBT community. “We’ve been doing on-site event promotions, whether it is at Pride events or in large metropolitan urban areas or settings where we can raise awareness on the product,” he said. “HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the most significant health crises facing America today,” added Douglas A. Michels, OraSure president and CEO. “Knowing your HIV status is the best thing for everyone, regardless of age, race or sexual orientation.” For more information on the campaign, visit www.OraQuick.com/knowing.