A Thousand and One Champions: A Recap

Last Wednesday, May 18th, we held Apicha's 26th Anniversary Benefit at the Grand Hyatt New York. Over two hundred people gathered in the Manhattan Ballroom to celebrate our champions and this year's honorees.

The night began with a cocktail hour with background music played by the Children's Orchestra Society Alumni Quartet. Guests then moved into the ballroom for dinner and the awards ceremony for this year's nominees.

Of course, the most important part of the night was that guests came together for three common goals: to celebrate Apicha CHC's accomplishments, to celebrate our champions and the work they do, and to announce our goals for the future.

Master(s) of Ceremonies

CeFaan Kim from WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News and Ralph B. Pena, Producing Artistic Director of Ma-Yi Theatre Company were co-MC's for the Benefit.

Speakers

• Opening Remarks - Jaime S. Huertas, MPH, Chair of Apicha Board of Directors
• Presenting the award to honoree Geena Rocero - Meredith Talusan, BuzzFeed LGBT Staff Writer
• Presenting the award to honoree Honorable Corey Johnson - Honorable Daniel Dromm, Council Member, District 25
• Presenting the award to honoree Pia Alonza Wurtzbach - Eric L. Sawyer, UNAIDS Civil Society Adviser
• Closing remarks - Apicha CHC CEO Therese Rodriguez

To learn more about this year's honorees, click here.
Check out some photos from the event!

For more photos, click here

We hope everyone left with a renewed sense of urgency to work to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic and provide access to healthcare services for everybody.

Even if you were not able to attend the benefit, show your support by donating to Apicha today.

Remember, you don't have to be one of our honorees to be an advocacy champion!

Here are some easy things you can do:

• You can volunteer or participate in HIV/AIDS awareness events
• Educate your friends on the importance of knowing their status and knowing how HIV is prevented
• Get tested!

If we each help prevent one person from contracting HIV, we will be one step closer to ending the epidemic.

We hope to see you all next year for the 27th Anniversary celebration!