COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
HIV and AIDS are not something we like to talk about.
"People are afraid of what they don't understand," said Deadra Malloy, who is HIV positive. "Being in the bible belt, it's hard to discuss sex in South Carolina."
"I've been living with HIV for the last 24 years," said Malloy
In 1988, Malloy said she tried to leave an abusive IV drug user when he told her she should get tested.
"That's when he shared with me that he had AIDS and I probably had it too and nobody else in the world would want me so I might as well stay with him," she said.
She didn't stay. And she eventually married Cleveland Malloy.
"She introduced her status and I knew I wanted her even more then," he said. "(It) didn't make me budge or nothing. Just drew me closer."
Cleveland says he was attracted to Deadra's strength. He does not have HIV.
"Even though she's positive, I'm negative, you know, we're like a battery," he said. "One doesn't work without the other and together we can make something happen."
Deadra has gotten over the devastation of the diagnosis and is focusing on educating and empowering other men and women through the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council.
"I'm trying to spread a message of hope to those living with HIV that we can live," she said.
"HIV/AIDS knows no age, it knows no race, it knows no boundaries and anyone can be affected by it," said Leigh Cheatham with the Richland County Recreation Commission.
Wednesday the RCRC and the AIDS Council are offering free testing and other health screenings.
"When you think of recreation you think of parks, you think of pools, you think of kids running around and playing and aerobics classes and Zumba classes," said Cheatham. "And yes, we are all of that but in order to put our community first, we have to really look at the broader spectrum of what's included in health and wellness."
National Testing Day is this Wednesday from 5-8 at Hopkins Park. There will be free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing as well as other health screenings. It's a family friendly event with a pool, activities for kids, and food.
"My prayer used to be, God let me live long enough to raise my children," said Malloy. "Today, my prayer is, God, just let me live as long as you want me to because I really didn't think I would be here this long."
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Richland Co. is offering free HIV and AIDS screening Wednesday
