By Jim Anderson/Illinois Radio Network
CHICAGO – The cause of HIV testing and prevention education is expected to realize $2 million from the sale of a new lottery ticket.
It’s Red Ribbon Cash, a scratch-off game that’s run annually, raising $5.8 million since its inception in 2008. Dr. Nirav D. Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, explains where the money goes.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health, through the Quality of Life grant, has funded 16 lead agencies in Fiscal Year 2015 to complete and conduct HIV counseling and testing, as well as providing HIV prevention education,” he said.
Over the last year, 3,300 people have been tested for HIV thanks to proceeds from this lottery game, and 4,000 received prevention and risk reduction education.
HIV is a problem in Illinois – 2,000 new cases diagnosed in 2013, and 40,000 people living with the disease, and African-Americans, particularly women, are disproportionately affected.
Tickets are $5, on sale until they run out.
