Health care group will host gala in Milwaukee to raise awareness about HIV
Vivent Health will raise money to prevent HIV and provide support to people living with it
Updated: 1:50 PM CDT Mar 21, 2025
We’re back now at 11:43. Looking ahead, Vivan Health is one of the nation’s leaders in HIV care and prevention. They’re holding their annual Gala and fundraiser in Milwaukee next month. Joining me now in studio are Margaret Lidstone with Vivent Health and Greg Leon, one of these, uh, one of this year’s honorees. Thank you both for being here. Appreciate it. So Margaret, before we get into this year’s, uh, Galla. First talk about Vivent Health, what you guys are, what the organization is, and really the work that you do across Southeast Wisconsin. Sure, so we are the leading provider of HIV care prevention and treatment across the state of Wisconsin to people living with HIV are at risk of HIV, and we do that by providing clinical care and the wrap around social services that so many people need like *** food pantry and housing. So just this week, the Wall Street Journal is actually reporting about the plans for the Trump administration to eliminate the division of HIV prevention at the CDC. Wyn issued *** statement in response to that. How could Wisconsin be impacted by that? Well, I think quite simply we would see HIV rates increase in this state. HIV is still with us. We have tools for treating and preventing it, which we are so excited about. But we have to continue preventing it and to cut that program, which for us would equal about $1.9 million it would absolutely cut us off at the knees for being able to continue to prevent the spread of HIV. And does that make this year’s fundraiser, this gala even more important, or obviously this is *** big money maker for the organization every single year. It’s *** huge money maker every single year and so it’s always important for us, but I think the awareness and visibility around what we do. And what living with HIV and being able to prevent HIV, what it means, um, to, you know, in this day and age. Yeah, Greg, folks may recognize you as the James Beard finalist, the chef, and I’m Melinda here in Milwaukee. You’re also one of this year’s honorees. What does it mean to you to be honored in this way, and just talk about your, your work in the fight to help in that HIV as well? I mean, it’s an incredible honor to be, uh, you know, get an award from such an amazing organization. There’s such great thanks for the state of Wisconsin, um. You know, it’s, uh, we need to still be visible, um, and, uh, we need to know that people can be HIV positive and have *** very successful long life. It’s not like it was 2030, 40 years ago when it was *** death sentence. Um, I’m sure there’s many people in the community around us every day who are HIV positive that we’re not even aware of. Yeah, absolutely. And so as we look ahead, uh, obviously the gala is happening on April 4th. I know tickets are already sold down, but there are ways that people can still join you in the fight here. How can they? Well, we are always looking for financial support. The gala raises money for that life saving medication that Greg was just referring to we provide that free to people who either live in poverty or under or uninsured. There are many people in our community who need our support so they can live those long, healthy lives. So we always need resources to do that. Awesome, thank you guys for being here. We appreciate it, Margaret and Greg. Uh, make ***, uh, the make *** promise gala is Friday, April 4th. Tickets are sold out, but you can still donate to the calls right now on the 12 News website under the links tab.
Health care group will host gala in Milwaukee to raise awareness about HIV
Vivent Health will raise money to prevent HIV and provide support to people living with it
Updated: 1:50 PM CDT Mar 21, 2025
Vivent Health, one of the national leaders in HIV treatment and prevention, will host its annual fundraiser gala in Milwaukee on April 6.The gala will raise money so Vivent Health can continue to provide financial help to people living with HIV. The help includes treatment, medications, housing, food and more. At the gala at Saint Kate, Vivent Health will honor two people who have made a profound difference in working to end HIV in Milwaukee. Those two people are Greg Leon, the owner and chef of Amilinda, and Dr. Jeffrey Kelly, who works at the Center for AIDS Intervention Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The fundraiser is sold out, but anyone can donate to the cause online. Margaret Lidstone, the chief philanthropy and community engagement officer at Vivent Health, and Greg Leon joined us Friday on 12 News at 11. 12 News’ Gerron Jordan will emcee the gala.
Vivent Health, one of the national leaders in HIV treatment and prevention, will host its annual fundraiser gala in Milwaukee on April 6.
The gala will raise money so Vivent Health can continue to provide financial help to people living with HIV. The help includes treatment, medications, housing, food and more.
At the gala at Saint Kate, Vivent Health will honor two people who have made a profound difference in working to end HIV in Milwaukee. Those two people are Greg Leon, the owner and chef of Amilinda, and Dr. Jeffrey Kelly, who works at the Center for AIDS Intervention Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
The fundraiser is sold out, but anyone can donate to the cause online.
Margaret Lidstone, the chief philanthropy and community engagement officer at Vivent Health, and Greg Leon joined us Friday on 12 News at 11.
12 News’ Gerron Jordan will emcee the gala.