Dr. Michael Gottlieb, Barry Goldblatt, Dr. David Hardy
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Dr. Michael Gottlieb, Barry Goldblatt, Dr. David Hardy |
On the evening of November 30th, AIDS Research Alliance hosted the first World AIDS Day Concert at The Colburn School. Despite the gray weather, hundreds of dedicated supporters came out to observe World AIDS Day in Los Angeles. Our VIP reception for our honored guests and community partners was held next-door to The Colburn School, at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Representatives from our World AIDS Day sponsors also joined us for appetizers and wine before the concert.
While Zipper Hall filled up with our guests, images of World AIDS Day from around the world played on a large screen as a reminder that this event was part of a globally acknowledged day, emphasizing the significance and impact of HIV/AIDS worldwide.
Our Master of Ceremonies, Emmy Award winner LeVar Burton, welcomed the audience to Zipper Hall at 7:30p.m., followed by our Board Chairman, Cary Stevens, who introduced the evening’s honored guests, including Dr. Michael Gottlieb, the physician widely known for identifying AIDS as a new disease; Oscar De La O, the President of Bienestar Human Services, Inc; and Bruno de Rísios Bath, the Consul General of Brazil in Los Angeles, who was represented at the event by Tiago Silva Almeda. Dr. Mateo Ledezma, Clinical Director of the Center of Excellence for LGBT Care at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, spoke on behalf of our presenting sponsor, Kaiser Permanente. Keynote speaker Dr. David Hardy, Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, gave the keynote address, sharing his inspirational insights on where the disease is headed and, what we can do as a community to achieve an AIDS-free generation.
The award-winning Calidore String Quartet gave a passionate performance of Franz Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D. 956, and the Colburn Woodwind Ensemble, joined by The Colburn School’s Dean Richard Beene, provided a delightful rendition of Mozart’s Serenade No. 12 for Winds in C Minor, K. 388.
The evening, dedicated to the millions who have died from AIDS, as well as those who live with HIV, who have been orphaned because of AIDS, and who do not have access to HIV/AIDS treatment, brought together a wonderful mixture of people from all over Los Angeles and beyond, even the state of Washington. We are grateful to all who joined us to observe our evening of hope and celebration of progress. We have received wonderful feedback. One attendee summed it all up, noting, “The Colburn School added such a note of splendor and normality that I rarely experience in an evening program devoted to HIV, it really was awesome.”
We appreciate donations you made at, and following the concert, including those from our sponsors, Kaiser Permanente, Ann and Robert Ronus, the Diane and David B. Heller Charitable Foundation, Gildead Sciences, and Merck. These gifts support our collective belief in the HIV/AIDS cure research we conduct, and we thank you for your vote of confidence.
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Cause of the Month |
We are excited to announce that We-Care.com has chosen ARA to be their December ‘Cause of the Month.’ With the We-Care.com app, cause-conscious shoppers can support their favorite non-profits while shopping online at no extra cost. That’s right, you can support our HIV-cure research while taking care of your holiday shopping list, booking your winter travels, or treating yourself with a special gift.
How does it work? Just download the free and easy to install We-Care.com app and start your shopping! A percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to the cause of your choice at no extra cost. We-Care.com has teamed up with over 2,500 online merchants such as Macy’s, Apple, Travelocity, American Airlines, 1-800 Contacts, Land’s End, Target, Walgreens, Nordstrom’s and many, many more.
December marks an important month in our fundraising efforts. As 2012 comes to a close, we have made tremendous strides in our HIV-cure research; however 8,000 people still die of AIDS everyday, while millions more with HIV may loose a third of their life span. This campaign with We-Care.com provides our supporters with an effortless way to contribute this holiday season.
You can also take advantage of this opportunity beyond December. ARA is one of We-Care.com’s on-going partners, giving you the ability to contribute while shopping throughout the year.
Join ARA in reaching a record-breaking Cause of the Month goal for raising $20K towards our research. Start by downloading the app here.
Happy holidays!
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Lori and Matt Quinn |
“Volunteering is just effortless. What an easy and enjoyable thing to do.”
Matt and Lori Quinn came to Los Angeles five years ago and immediately got involved with AIDS Research Alliance (ARA) by volunteering at a holiday fundraising event in Malibu. Since then, the Quinns have graciously dedicated their time and energy to ensure that each ARA event is a success, whether they spend that time handing out brochures and condoms at Gay Pride in West Hollywood, or serving hors d’oeuvres at our Summer Soirée fundraiser.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic hits close to home for the Quinns. Their close friends have lost loved ones to the disease, and the Quinns have personally observed the devastation of AIDS. While they could not contribute financially, they knew their time and energy would be valuable to ARA.
“When you sit back and think about it, it is not just volunteering for your neighborhood, your city, or your state—it is for the whole world. And it is a contribution we are willing to make. We don’t have a lot of money, but if it is our time and energy are of value, what an easy and enjoyable thing to do.”
The Quinns have volunteered at many ARA events, and fortunately for us at ARA, they continue to enjoy dedicating some of their free time to us. Lori tells us, “Every time we get home from an event, we go, ‘Oh man, we had a good time.’ We get to celebrate the progress that ARA has made in its research, and get to know the people involved, while enjoying some of the finest and most opulent locations in Los Angeles.”
Lori reflected on an event a couple years ago where she was struck by the harsh reality of the disease, as well as the hopeful and growing momentum toward a cure. “I had a goosebump moment. It was an intimate event and someone stood up to give statistics on how the cure research was progressing, ARA’s commitment to a cure, and their strategy going forward. I just stood there and thought, ‘are you kidding me, this is so unreal. I cannot believe that I am a part of this.’ It gave me such hope for our friends who are affected by HIV.”
Matt and Lori’s dedication go a long way. They believe that volunteering is “kind of like when you vote. People say, ‘why should I vote? There are millions of people out there, and it’s not going to make any difference.’ Well guess what? It does make a difference. My vote does count. The role that I play, whether that be directing someone to the bathroom or helping to clean up, it makes a difference.”
ARA is deeply grateful to the Quinns for their generosity of spirit.
Thank you, Lori and Matt, for all that you do to advance HIV/AIDS research.
Want to volunteer at an ARA event? Check out our ‘Get Involved’ page.