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Everybody Saw Red

TPAN’s annual gala, the Aware Affair

by Rhett Lindsay

TPAN hosted its 19th annual gala, “Aware Affair: Seeing Red,” in September at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

National Public Radio personality and comedian Aaron Freeman served as the master of ceremonies for the more than 500 guests. Broadway diva, jazz musician, and comedienne Lea DeLaria entertained.

The “Seeing Red” theme for the evening was established to raise community awareness on issues involving the rising numbers of HIV/AIDS cases in the United States, decreased funding for agencies (including TPAN), and lack of health care and other resources available to people living with HIV and AIDS.

TPAN’s Executive Director Rick Bejlovec delivered a realistic keynote speech about the national and global problems impacting agencies such as TPAN and the people they serve.

“Due to federal inaction and shortsightedness, the HIV service organizations, programs, infrastructure, and safety nets that we have been building for the past 25 years are being slowly and systematically de-funded and dismantled,” said Bejlovec. “Seeing Red is about our HIV service agencies working together for a common goal: to ensure that people living with HIV have the tools, education, and support we need.”

TPAN honored four leaders who have made considerable contributions to the HIV and AIDS community. The Charles E. Clifton Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Daniel S. Berger, Medical Director of NorthStar Healthcare; two Visionary Awards were presented, to State Representative Larry McKeon and to TPAN health care partner Luck Care Center; and the Chris Clason Committed to Living Award to Chris Brown, Assistant Commissioner of the STD/HIV/AIDS Public Policy and Programs for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Chris Clason was the founder of TPAN in 1987, and Committed to Living remains the agency’s motto.

Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) is Chicago’s longest standing, peer-led HIV/AIDS service providing agency. TPAN provides peer-led treatment education, support services, information dissemination and advocacy to empower people living with HIV/AIDS. TPAN also provides free, rapid anonymous, oral HIV testing, prevention education services and a needle exchange program in an effort to reduce the further spread of HIV/AIDS. TPAN proudly produces the only non-profit, national, HIV treatment publication, Positively Aware (PA), as well as the PA annual drug guide in Spanish, Positively Aware en Espanol. Visit www.tpan.com.

 

Photos from the event:
Lea Delaria Visionary Award Winner Bethsheba Johnson
and Master of Ceremonies Aaron Freeman
Chris Clason Committed to Living Award Winner Chris Brown and Master of Ceremonies Aaron Freeman Visionary Award Winner State Representative Larry McKeon
and Master of Ceremonies Aaron Freeman
 

 
 
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