Steve Chase Awards Raises Thousands Of Dollars For AIDS

Thousands of people file into the Palm Springs Convention Center for the glitz and glamor of the 17th annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards.

Local humanitarians and celebrities are awarded for their dedication to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Like Dr. Luc Montagnier, who received the lifetime achievement award for his research that lead to the discovery of the HIV virus.

“We have made many great advances, for instance therapy that have saved the lives of many people. But this not a cure and we have no vaccine so the research has to continue,” said Montagnier.

More than a thousand people attended the gala.

Organizers said they expect the awards to raise more than a million dollars for the Desert AIDS Project.

But the state’s budget woes has the organization asking for more.

“The California state budget crisis has ended all funding for education, testing and prevention throughout the entire state of California. For us that was a lose of a half a million dollars of revenue and the end of many of our education prevention programs,” said David Brinkman, CEO of the Desert AIDS Project.

Guests paid $425 for dinner, entertainment and the awards.

Every dollar the Desert AIDS Project raises will help people in the valley who have HIV and AIDS.

But the goal will always be to help find a cure.

“What we’re hoping is that we never have to have another fundraiser again,” said Pauley Perrette, who won the New Generation Award.