Laverne Cox (L) at CAN’s 2023 Red Ribbon Gala. Photo by Dylan Todd.
TAMPA | CAN Community Health welcomed supporters to the Tampa Museum of Art April 1 for its 2023 Red Ribbon Gala, raising more than $350,000 for the organization’s community health initiatives.
The gathering is designed to raise awareness and funds for CAN’s continuum of medical, social and education services for those living with HIV, hepatitis C, STDs and other diseases. It specifically benefited the organization’s Patient Assistance Fund, which helps underserved patients with personal and medical expenses.
“Many times our patients do not have transportation, the ability to pay for utilities or money to buy food,” CAN explains. “The Patient Assistance Fund is there to help patients who are facing extenuating circumstances that negatively impact their healthcare and other personal needs.”
A total of 225 people attended the gala, which featured LGBTQ activist and actress Laverne Cox. Speakers included representatives from sponsors like Shumaker and Gilead as well as political leaders like Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
The mayor highlighted the city’s gratitude for organizations like CAN while detailing its commitment to combating HIV and the stigma surrounding diagnosis and treatment. During her first term, Castor signed an executive order making Tampa a Fast-Track City, a global partnership between cities and municipalities around the world.
Each locale is dedicated to ending the HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030. “Frankly, I feel that if you put your mind to something and you get collaboration — you get others on board — that you can accomplish anything,” Castor said. “I believe that we can do that here in the city of Tampa.”
The mayor also called on attendees to come together to address stigma impacting the region.
“HIV, hepatitis and other diseases are deeply affecting our community when you look at the state of Florida and the Tampa Bay area … it’s no longer a death sentence, which we have to cheer, but we have to realize that there is so much that we can do and we have to do,” she said.
CAN President and CEO Dr. Rishi Patel spoke as well. After detailing the organization’s more than 30 years of service, he unveiled CAN’s new logo.
The design represents “the modernization of our organization and its future accomplishments in providing the best possible medical care,” Patel said. He noted that the illusion of the letter “A” represents a road and a patient’s “path toward accessible health care.”
“We are committed to being the best of what we do and are proud to be a part of the Tampa Bay area,” he added. View the new logo below:
Cox participated in a Q&A ahead of the evening’s entertainment and live auction. The actress reflected on her trailblazing career, the importance of equity in health care and much more.
“Everyone should have access to health care and we know that is not the case in the United States,” Cox said. “It’s why organizations like this are so crucially important … this work is crucial and that’s why I’m here; philanthropy is so important.”
The evening concluded with a live auction in support of CAN’s mission followed by dancing and entertainment. Watermark was proud to sponsor CAN’s 2023 Red Ribbon Gala and you can view our photos below.
Photos by Dylan Todd.
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