More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with the HIV infection, and almost one in five are unaware of their infection, according to AIDS.gov.

Selma AIDS Information and Referral, a non-profit organization designed to reduce the rate of HIV and AIDS among residents in the Black Belt region, is offering free HIV testing, blood pressure testing and signups for the Affordable Care Act Saturday, at Ronnie Sharp Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event, which is called the Know your Status Rally, is meant to provide a fun environment that will encourage more people to get tested for HIV.

“One big reason people don’t get tested is because of the stigma that goes along with this virus. It’s fear,” Cedric Wherry, the Selma AIR education specialist for HIV and AIDS, said. “We tell them how it is contracted as opposed to how it is not contracted, so they can better protect themselves. So the next time they get tested, they don’t have that fear upon them.”

Wherry said the rally, which includes free music and food, is in conjunction with their Selma AIR Project Transformation campaign to fight AIDS in an eight county areas where HIV and AIDS tends to be more prevalent. He said this event is a great way to accomplish that mission, because it allows people to get service they might not have been able to afford otherwise.

Wherry said Selma AIR wants stress the importance of knowing your status.

“It’s not the same virus it was in the 80s when people got it and they died a painful death,” he said. “Today if people contract this virus, medications are so much better that people can live 30 or 40 more years if they stay on that medication and do the right thing.”

Wherry said if someone were to get diagnosed with the disease during the rally, Selma AIR would be sure to take the proper next steps.

“What we would do next, is get them into treatment,” he said. “Then from there they are able to not only to protect themselves, but others. To me that is why this event is so important.”

Wherry said that educating yourself on your status could save your life.

“Regardless of the outcome, it is better to know than not to know,” he said.

In the case of rain, the Know your Status rally will relocate across the street in the community center of GWC Home’s community center.

For more information, contact Selma AIR at 872-6795.