STAFF at Kate Jones @ One Nineteen are showing support for HIV awareness by displaying a bowl of red ribbons, the symbol of World Aids Day, on its counter.
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Owner Kate Jones said promoting Tuesday's World Aids Day is designed to raise awareness and support suffers of HIV/Aids. She said it will also increase understanding of the disease in the community.
"Any opportunity to promote awareness of anything is what we should be doing," Mrs Jones said.
Mrs Jones said the recent announcement of actor Charlie Sheen's battle with HIV has encouraged people to pay attention and start talking about the issue.
"People are looking to learn and there's places to get support."
Orange sexual health service unit manager Roisin Dyer said the service is offering its support by distributing resource packages including red ribbons and pamphlets to businesses and providing free HIV testing to protect people in the community.
"It's an important health message to raise awareness of testing so HIV doesn't affect people unnecessarily," Ms Dyer said.
According to the Western NSW Local Health District blood borne virus prevention co-ordinator Georgiana Simpson, although around 14 percent of suffers remain undiagnosed, NSW has made significant progress in increasing HIV testing and treatment and strengthening prevention efforts.
