WHO: The Latino Commission on AIDS honors three distinguished individuals and an innovative business leader during the Annual Cielo Latino benefit gala.

Viiv Healthcare – Business Leadership Award

Lillian Rodríguez López (President, Hispanic Federation) – Compañera Award

Kenny Ortega (Film Director and Producer) – Ilka Award

Dennis deLeon (President, Latino Commission on AIDS – Posthumous) – Voz de Compromiso Award

Other guests in attendance include: actress Lupe Ontiveros, actress and Academy Award Nominee Rosie Perez, actor, writer and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, Miss

Universe 2009 Stefania Fernández, Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, MTV3 Host Carlos Santos, and entertainment provided by Grammy Nominated musicians Yerbabuena

and DJ Prophet.

Hosts: Soledad O’Brien, CNN’s anchor and special correspondent and Carmen Dominicci, NBC Telemundo anchor, to be installed as

International Ambassador of the Latino Commission.

WHAT: Annual Cielo Latino Gala raises funds to ensure HIV/AIDS services are available to Latino/Hispanic communities

WHEN: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 (6:00-11:00 PM)

WHERE: 

6:00 PM Red Carpet Arrival Exclusive for Media Coverage

(Media are invited to set up between 5-6pm)

                                 WHY: Latinos in the United States remain a group greatly affected by HIV/AIDS. There are approximately 200,000 Latinos in the United States living with HIV and while Latinos in the U.S. represent 15.3% of the population, they account for 19.0% of people living with AIDS and are reported to be 18.0 % of those living with an undiagnosed HIV infection. In New York, the epicenter of the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic, Latinos have the highest rates of AIDS. In 2007, Latinos in New YorkState represented 16 percent of the population, but accounted for 30% of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Latino Commission on AIDS encourages the community to join us in responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis by supporting our prevention, awareness and HIV testing initiatives. Together We Can/Unidos Podemos!

Tickets available at www.latinoaids.org For more information visit: www.latinoaids.org/cielo

CONTACT:    Dina Albanese: 646-957-1843 or 212.807.1337 x20

                                             Annie Mulgrew: amulgrew@latinoaids.org, 212-675-3288 x 318