More than 25 years ago, we first heard about AIDS. All this time later and still no cure.

Tuesday marked the 21st annual World AIDS Day. It's a day for people to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The Centers for Disease Control reports more than 56 thousand new cases this year. That's up 40 percent from 2005 and Nebraska isn't immune.

On this World AIDS Day, the Nebraska Aids Project gave free HIV tests at UNK. The Centers for Disease Control estimates one in 500 college students is infected with the virus.

Kiefer Coatney, a UNK student, said,  "Obviously, there are a lot of parties going around on the
weekend and stuff and people get drunk and do stupid stuff and aren't always the safest."

Yet, Kiefer one of only 25 students that showed up.

"There's always a risk, but people take it and don't get tested," he said.

Nationwide 1.1 million people have HIV/AIDS. In Nebraska, one person gets infected every three days. That's 120 people each year. Andrew Brackett, a case manager for the Nebraska AIDS Project, said as many as two thousand people in the state are actively seeking out medical treatment for HIV right now.

Brackett said, "Everyone should be tested at least one time annually if they are sexually active or if they are engaging in intravenous drug usage."

That test is just a quick prick of the finger. All it takes is 15 minutes to get the results. Simple enough. Yet, officials said many people don't get tested because they're afraid they'll see those two red lines indicating positive. Even if they do, Brackett said it's not a death sentence.

Brackett explained, "Anyone who receives an HIV diagnosis in their early 20s, if they're able to catch the HIV infection early on and if they seek proper medical care and treatment right now, they can easily live to 70 years of age."

The fight against HIV/AIDS is an uphill battle. Symptoms can take years to show up and that's part of the reason why the number of new cases continues to climb.

"If people are engaging in risky behaviors or if they're sexually active and have multiple
partners for a period of five to seven years and they don't know their HIV status, they could be
infecting everybody their with," he said.

Despite the low turnout, a college student-  who asked to remain anonymous- hopes others get the message.

"They should come and do it. Do the process and check themselves if they have HIV instead of
not knowing," she said.

If you missed today's free clinic but would like an HIV test, several places in the tri-cities offer them. In Kearney, you can visit the Nebraska AIDS Project at 11 West Railroad. The UNK Student Health Center also offers the test and so does the Central Health Center at 4503 2nd Avenue.

In observance of World AIDS Day, the Stone Health Center at Hastings College will also provide tests on Thursday and Friday.