Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - SETAC 'Tu Centro Comunitario' is once again reaching out to Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors with their annual Semana Santa Protegida campaign. The objective is to prevent HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases by distributing around 14,000 free condoms over the Easter holidays, and to detect people with HIV and syphilis so that advice and counseling to prevent infections can be provided.

The 2017 campaign kicked off at 11 am on Thursday at Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas, where volunteers at the Semana Santa Protegida booth began distributing information on the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases, giving away condoms and lubricants, and performing rapid tests for HIV and syphilis - all free of charge. By 3 pm, more than 30 rapid tests had been performed.

Volunteers at the booth, which will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, are also promoting the use of condoms to prevent HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases, and spreading the word that it is every individual's responsibility to protect themselves. In the evenings, the "Night Brigade" hits the city's streets and nightclubs to distribute condoms and coupons for free and confidential HIV testing that can be used at the SETAC Community Center at a later date.

Taking the tools of education and prevention of HIV - rapid tests, condoms, lubricants, brochures, prevention packages, etc. - directly to Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors is the purpose of SETAC Community Center. The services are free, safe and reliable and provided in both English and Spanish.

"The work to reduce and to detect the cases of HIV in Puerto Vallarta must be constant and organized day-to-day with new strategies and campaigns, with more people, groups and institutions involved with the same end goal," says Paco Arjona, Director of SETAC.

SETAC is currently working on another cause that is important to the community: bringing the PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) pill to Puerto Vallarta. Casa Cupula, Puerto Vallarta's luxury boutique hotel for Gay Men, Lesbians and Friends, is a proud supporter of SETAC, and owner Don Pickens will donate half of all proceeds from the 2017 Easter Bonnet Brunch to this very worthy cause.

So, if you are here in Puerto Vallarta, make plans now to spend Easter Sunday at Taste Restaurant @ Casa Cupula, where you will enjoy a lavish buffet of creative cuisine and an outrageous Easter bonnet contest. To book your table, please contact your Casa Cupula Concierge at 322-223-2484 ext. 151 or by email at taste(at)casacupula.com.

If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation. Your support can help to benefit a larger number of people in Puerto Vallarta. For more information, contact Paco Arjona at (322) 224-1974.

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The purpose of the SETAC Community Center, located at Rio Santiago #174 in the El Fluvial neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, is to provide essential services to the community, including physical and mental health treatment, referrals, and education in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. For more information, contact Paco Arjona at (322) 224-1974 or paco(at)setac.com.mx.

Click HERE to learn more about Centro Comunitario SETAC.