Guanabee Crashes “Cielo Latino” The 2009 Latino Commission On AIDS Benefit
15 May 2009, 3:30 PM. By Cindy Casares
The urgency behind charity events for AIDS can seem tame compared to 20 years ago, but Tuesday night’s “Cielo Latino,” the 20th Anniversary fundraiser for Latino Commission on AIDS at Cipriani in New York City, brought out all the fabulousness this town has to offer. Guanabee went along for the ride.
Even in this tough economic climate, 400 people showed up to fill top-dollar seats, show their support and lay eyes on celebs like Rosie Perez, Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, Wilmer Valderrama, Hollywood’s favorite “maid” Lupe Ontiveros, and Next Top Model Jaslene Gonzalez.
Event co-organizer and Director of Health Policy at the Latino Commission on AIDS Oscar Lopez spoke to us about the magnitude of the event.
This evening was created, in part, to honor MERCK pharmaceuticals for their innovations towards improving life for people with AIDS long-term. This is huge because CDC statistics show that 1 in 4 Latinos with AIDS don’t get diagnosed until late in their disease.
One thing that is really important to note, and Rosie Perez spoke about it from the podium, is how difficult it is to rally Latino celebrities for an event of this nature. The minute you mention HIV or AIDS to a celebrity manager, you quickly find out that they are booked solid and can’t make an appearance. I would love to help Latino celebrities understand that with all of the attention they get, they can do so much more for the community than promote the designer of the jeans they are wearing or what arm candy is hanging on them at the moment. That’s why we are so grateful for all our celebs who did lend a hand.
Click on Wilmer Valderama And Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, to see a photo gallery of celebs at “Cielo Latino”
Ariana from Pink Bicylette contributed to this article.
(1) 
Post Your Comment
Did you know you can now share a link, image or video?
Click to submit your own notas.
Thank you for bringing attention to such a needed cause. Latinos are usually diagnosed late in there disease. Usually at an emergency room and by then they are being told they are HIV positive and getting diagnosed with AIDS as well. By then, they are loosing several years of potential life saving/extending medication.
It’s really important that we all get tested and know our status.