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STARS SHINE AS LEADERS AND SUPPORTERS UNITE IN CIELO LATINO – THE NATION’S LARGEST FUNDRAISER FOR LATINO HIV/AIDS CAUSE
New York Event Raises Over $500,000 for the Latino Commission on AIDS
| May 13, 2008, New York – Unidos Podemos – United We Can – was the rallying theme that brought together Hollywood stars, entertainers, Latino health advocates, business leaders, community members and elected officials in support of the Latino Commission on AIDS at its 13th annual Cielo Latino gala benefit at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Tuesday, May 13th, raising over $500,000 for the Commission’s programs and initiatives to stop HIV/AIDS in the Latino community. The largest fundraiser of its kind in the nation, this year’s event raised more money than any other in the organization’s history. Rosie Perez, Lupe Ontiveros, Amaury Nolasco, Denise Quinones, and Geraldo Rivera are a few of the celebrities that participated in the evening’s festivities. “People and organizations all across this country, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are increasing their demand for our services,” said Dennis deLeon, president of the Latino Commission on AIDS. “Responding to the changing needs for HIV education, better prevention programs, capacity building for frontline organizations and health departments, and advocating for better healthcare policies and funding is made possible by the generous support of our partners who again participated in Cielo Latino. We are very grateful and honored to have the support of so many that joined us at this year’s Cielo Latino – they are the “stars” in our fight against HIV/AIDS.” |
DeLeon, who has been living with HIV/AIDS for 20 years, received a special
tribute at the event for his visionary leadership and national advocacy
in the cause. The evening’s honorees included: Arisa Batista Cunningham,
Vice President for Global Diversity, Medical Devices & Diagnostics
Group Worldwide, Johnson & Johnson (Esperanza Award); Bill Roedy,
Vice-Chairman, MTV Networks (Business Leadership Award); and, Mathilde
Krim, Ph.D., Founding Chairman, amfAR (Fuerza Award).
Kat DeLuna, who in recent months has emerged as one of the defining faces
of pop music’s next generation, was named the 2008 International
Ambassador to the Commission, following in the footsteps of Gael Garcia
Bernal and the former Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera. Although Ms.
DeLuna was not able to attend the event, she said in her video acceptance
remarks that her goal in this role is to educate and inform as many young
people as possible to get tested and practice prevention against HIV/AIDS.
She hopes to convey this message through her music, concerts, public service
announcements and related activities with the Latino Commission throughout
the year.
Merck & Co., Inc., the global research-driven pharmaceutical company,
was the lead corporate chair of the gala, joined by corporate vice-chairs,
Johnson & Johnson and MTV Networks. Critical in-kind support was also
provided by American Airlines, the official airline for the event; Harper
Collins, publishers of the evening’s program; Diageo, the spirits
sponsor and Plant Shed, donating flowers and décor services.
Cuban born Cucu Diamantes of Yerba Buena thrilled the audience as the
featured entertainer of the evening, unveiling new songs from her forthcoming
solo debut album. Cucu’s voice and charisma, accompanied by the
rhythms of producer Andres Levin and other members of Yerba Buena, kept
the crowd dancing all night long.
“Whatever our role in life may be, wherever we may live, we all
live with HIV in one way or another,” said Diamantes. “We
should all assume responsibility in responding to this epidemic and I
am proud to support the Latino Commission on AIDS in leading the Latino
community struggle to contain the AIDS epidemic.”
If you wish to learn more about the Latino Commission on AIDS and to help
support its services in Latino communities, visit and give at www.latinoaids.org.
The Latino Commission on AIDS is a nonprofit membership organization founded
in 1990 dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino community.
The Commission realizes its mission by spearheading health advocacy for
Latinos, promoting HIV education, developing model prevention programs
for high-risk communities, and by building capacity in community organizations.
The Commission is the leading national Latino AIDS organizations coordinating
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and other advocacy programs in more
than 40 States and Puerto Rico
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