In honor of National Aids Week, the University of Iowa Global Health Club is presenting The Red Affair benefit dinner and silent auction to support local HIV/AIDS foundations on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7-10 p.m. in the Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge. The event is part of IC Red Week, a series of HIV/AIDS awareness and benefit events hosted by UI student organizations.
Iowa activist Tami Haught will be speaking and collecting donations on behalf of the Community HIV and Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN) and Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH), two non-profit organizations that support and raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in Iowa. More specifically, CHAIN lobbies the state on behalf of low and middle-income AIDS patients who desperately need financial support in order to obtain life-saving medication.
In addition to the dinner and auction, there will be a music performance by jazz group The Zeimer Trio, as well as the UI’s all-male a capella group Intersection. Organizers are optimistic that this year will see an increased turnout from years previous.
“The Red Affair was hosted last year in the Old Brick Church and we raised $500 for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Foundation,” wrote event co-organizer Mackenzie Leonard in an email to Little Village. “We had an estimated audience of 50. This year, our goal is to have an audience of about 150 and to raise double or triple the amount of money.”
Organizers are encouraging attendees to wear red-themed attire, so dress accordingly!
Tickets can be purchased at the IMU Hub for a minimum $7 for students, and $10 for non-students, though attendees may pay more (to bolster their donation) if they wish.
