AIDS Institute Director Humberto Cruz to Receive Award at Cielo Latino 2011

Humberto Cruz, Director of the AIDS Institute from the New York State Department of Health, will receive the 2011 Dennis deLeon Voz de Compromiso (Commitment) Award May 10 at the Latino Commission on AIDS’ annual gala Cielo Latino 2011, the Commission announced today.

The esteemed award, created to honor the selflessness and commitment of persons living with HIV/AIDS who through example have dedicated themselves to enlighten the public about it, will be presented by Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS.

“Humberto Cruz has been a major advocate of unmasking HIV/AIDS,” said Chacon. “Therefore, he richly deserves this award. We believe ‘Unmasking AIDS’ is a theme that resonates on many levels. Latinos and people of color afflicted by HIV/AIDS face many health challenges, including discrimination, language barriers, social stigma, poverty and anti-immigration sentiment. Through Cielo Latino 2011, our vision is to remind attendees that broad-based and community-driven strategies must be employed to develop and strengthen healthy communities.”

The awards will take place on Tuesday evening May 10th at Cipriani Wall Street, New York City, located at 55 Wall Street. The evening will consist of a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by the dinner and awards presentation. Live entertainment will be provided by DJ Henry Knowles and the Grammy-nominated salsa band the New Swing Sextet.

Cielo Latino is the largest annual national fundraiser for our community in its fight against AIDS. The money raised each year allows the Commission to continue to provide critical services to thousands through our programs and initiatives and millions more through our social marketing education, awareness, outreach, and treatment campaigns. This year’s theme – Unmasking AIDS- speaks to critical co-morbidity health issues, along with our efforts to combat stigma and isolation, and in particular to highlight the harsh reality of the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS faced by some of our most vulnerable populations.

All of us at the Commission are deeply appreciative of your participation in what will be a wonderful evening! We would also like to thank our loyal stakeholders for their leadership and support; a full listing of sponsors and honorees will be announced in early April. In the meantime, tickets and sponsorship information can be obtained by visiting www.latinoaids.org/support/cielo.php.

ABOUT THE LATINO COMMISSION ON AIDS
The Latino Commission on AIDS (Commission) is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1990 dedicated to addressing the health challenges and fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino/Hispanic communities. The Commission is the leading national Latino AIDS organization coordinating National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and other prevention, research, capacity building and advocacy programs across the United States and its territories.

For more information visit: www.latinoaids.org — www.nlaad.org – www.latinohivtesting.org

Contacts

Latino Commission on AIDS
Annie Mulgrew, 646-375-4440
amulgrew@latinoaids.org

From: www.businesswire.com

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