SARASOTA – CAN Community Health hosts the Red Ribbon Gala fundraiser in efforts to reshape the face of HIV.
Hundreds attend the inaugural Red Ribbon Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota Saturday night.
“One of the things I wanted to make sure they understood is how difficult it is for us to operate with the current landscape of HIV care,” said Richard Carlisle, CEO of CAN Community Health.
CAN Community Health says this is their largest fundraiser, with the goal, of continuing the fight to end HIV stigma. Carlisle says if people are going to get the help they need its starts by change in policy by the current administration.
“It’s gotta change, it’s gotta change if the president is going to stand before the American people and say were going to eradicate the epidemic in ten years than we have to change the way the system is working . Bureaucracy is keeping people from getting care,” said Carlisle.
Guests exchange personal stories to ensure no one is alone. New Jersey Aids Services is one of CAN Community Health newest partner. CEO Laurie Litt says she hopes this new partnership helps more people get the resources they need.
“Having a home to get services, having a place where they feel safe, having a place where they will come and get what they need because we treat them with respect and dignity,” said Litt
Actors M.j. Rodriguez and Billy Porter where guest speakers who shared personal stories of how they and loved ones have been affected by HIV.
“Well one of the reasons that I’m here is because I want to spread awareness I want to stop the stigma and I want to make sure that a lot of people are aware of what’s going on now,” said Rodriguez. “A lot of people forget what goes on when it comes to HIV and AIDS and a lot of young ones do to”
For Porter this gala is personal to him, having lost loved ones to HIV
“These are the spaces where we energize, communicate, and organize to affect change that’s what these are because it’s a space where like minded people get together and figure out how to affect change,” said Porter.
CAN Community Health has now expanded outside of Florida and has clinics in 7 other states.