Have an old car you’d like to get rid of and want to contribute to AIDS Research Alliance? In efforts to expand our donor outreach, we have re-launched our vehicle donation website, Cars4aCure
. This program provides ARA supporters an alternative way to give to our cure research while offering a handful of advantages:
Cars4aCure has proven to be a major success with donations made from all over the country in places such as Virginia, Georgia, New York and Louisiana. This hassle-free program is a great way for people to clear up space in their garage while supporting life-changing HIV cure research. Check out the website here and see how you can make an impact today! http://cars4acure.org/4acure/
LeVar Burton with longtime ARA friend Dr. Wilbert Jordan at the Summer Soiree for a Cure |
We are honored to announce that our national spokesperson – Emmy Award winner LeVar Burton – has joined our Board of Directors.
As one of seven members of the Board, Burton will play a key role in shaping AIDS Research Alliance’s program and fundraising.
“AIDS Research Alliance is honored to welcome Emmy Award-winning LeVar Burton to its Board of Directors,” said Carolyn Carlburg, CEO of ARA. “Since LeVar became our national spokesperson just over a year ago, his energy, knowledge and commitment have furthered the mission of this organization and cause. We are thrilled that his involvement will continue to grow.”
Burton explained, “As someone in show business, I was very much aware of the AIDS epidemic. So when Carolyn Carlburg explained the work of AIDS Research Alliance and really broke down the ongoing need to shine a light on AIDS and AIDS research, as well as the unique position ARA has in the AIDS research community as an organization working on an HIV cure, I couldn’t say no. I realized there was such a need.”
Since becoming our national spokesperson last summer, Burton has acted as Master of Ceremonies for our two annual fundraisers, he has acted as a spokesperson for our Chase Community Giving campaign, recording this video of support, and he has used his legion Twitter followers to spread the word about ARA’s work and the pressing need for an HIV cure.
In his professional life, Burton is as busy as ever. He recently developed and launched a new tablet-based Reading Rainbow application, and he is a guest star on TNT’s new drama, Perception.
LeVar Burton is an Emmy Award-winning actor, director, producer, and HIV/AIDS activist, whose career has spanned decades. He first rose to fame as Kunta Kinte on Roots. Burton is also known for his roles as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as the host of the PBS children’s program Reading Rainbow, for which he also served as executive producer. Further, Burton directed and produced several segments of the Star Trek franchise, and directed the Emmy-nominated Tiger Woods Story for Showtime.
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CEO Carolyn Carlburg & Dir. of Development Lilian Miller with dancers from Pasion Flamenca |
In September, AIDS Research Alliance (ARA) held its Summer Soirée for a Cure, a fundraiser supporting its HIV cure research. Guests traveled from far and wide to join the party at the home of Board member Cam Davis in Fremont Place, an elegant and secluded community near Hancock Park.
The event opened with a warm welcome from ARA’s newest Board member, LeVar Burton, who shared the organization’s recent achievements and future goals for AIDS research with the guests. The program continued with flamenco, inspiring speeches, and musical performances. Throughout the evening, guests mingled while enjoying delicious tapas and custom drinks. The band closed the Soirée as the sun set. The evening brought in financial support for AIDS Research Alliance’s research into prostratin, its promising HIV cure strategy.
AIDS Research Alliance is currently preparing for its World AIDS Day event, which will be held on November 30 at The Colburn School in Downtown Los Angeles. The community partners, as of September 18, are Kaiser Permanente, UCLA CARE Center, UCLA Vine Street, AIDS Institute CFAR, and LA Biomed. The event will be free and open to the general public. Please stay tuned for more information!
Want to see more from the Soirée? Click here.
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Kelvin B. & board member Gary Robinson |
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Frank Pennino, Kathleen Sheinfeld, & Mitchell Morehart |
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Sherry Johnson & Sam Randazzo |
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CEO Carolyn Carlburg & host Cam Davis |