Dear Friends of Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, I want to thank you for supporting us and celebrating with us this past Saturday, May 19, on our 20th anniversary of providing services to A&PI communities and the 3rd Annual National Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. You were among more than 500 attendees who made our event truly memorable and a huge success. We were especially honored to be joined by Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu, California State Senator Carole Migden, and California Assemblymember Mark Leno.

In honor of the federally endorsed 3rd Annual National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, A&PI Wellness Center unveiled a photo exhibition entitled LenScape, a striking pictorial autobiography that chronicled the lives of four A&PIs living with HIV in the San Francisco Bay Area. During the program, Al and Jane Nakatani, authors of Honor Thy Children and former NFL Player Esera Tuaolo spoke powerfully about the continuing need to erase stigma and eliminate the shame associated with HIV.

Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugu,
Acting U.S. Surgeon General

LenScape was followed by A&PI Wellness Center's 20th anniversary celebration and annual fundraiser. The evening was emceed by our very own Tita Aida and Energy 92.7's Fernando and Greg, and included a brief program of community award presentations honoring Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu for his unwavering support and national promotion of National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Alejandro Diesta & Melenie Eleneke for their leadership and visibility in the ground-breaking HIV Stops With Me campaign, and The California Wellness Foundation for recognizing the critical link between HIV health and employment services. A closing performance by Esera Tuaolo capped an exciting and enchanting evening.

Executive Director Lance Toma with Board Members Cecilia Chung and Michael Reyes

What's next for us? We're going to continue doing the work we know well. We're going to continue to provide holistic, comprehensive health services. We're going to continue to provide the care our communities need and deserve. As I stated that evening, we will continue to provide hope, health, and home for our clients and communities. And we're going to continue to cherish your support.

My heartfelt thanks,

Lance

More May 19 Photos

Former Executive Director John Manzon-Santos with Al and Jane Nakatani

Al Nakatani takes a moment to congratulate Thomas, one of the LenScape artists honored on the 3rd Annual National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

California State Senator Carole Migden speaks at HIV Matters: Looking Forward

Former NFL football player Esera Tuaolo gives Reggie Webb some game pointers

The Surgeon General poses with a few of our Board Members (from left: Galen Leung, Lance Toma, Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu, Mike Rabanal, Stephen Huey)

Emcee Tita Aida takes a break with The Endup’s Sydney Leung and Energy 92.7’s Greg and Fernando

Guests enjoy the HIV Matters: Looking Forward program

The Ladies of Passion, including Nakatani ‘Ohana awardee Melenie Eleneke, perform a touching hula to “Pua Carnation” (from left: Tracey Abihai, Tatiana Kaneholani, Melenie Eleneke)

Executive Director Lance Toma and A&PI Wellness Center Board Members give an impassioned speech on our agency’s mission and values (from left: Stephen Huey, David Yau, Devesh Khatu, Cecilia Chung, Renee Devone, Michael Reyes, Galen Leung, Joe Lucero, Mike Rabanal, Laura Thomas)

Lisa Chan, co-anchor of the CBS 5 Weekend Early Edition, talks of the need to fight HIV/AIDS related stigma

The Men of Asian REDefined Calendar 2007 and California Assembly member Mark Leno present A&PI Wellness Center with a check representing the donated proceeds of their calendar sales

Members of U.T.O.P.I.A. relax with Esera Tuaolo after their performance