2008 MAC AIDS Benefit

I was young, but I clearly recall my aunt talking with my dad about this strange illness my cousin had that no one could diagnose. This was probably 1983 or '84. He lived in Long Beach, CA, while I lived in Nashville, so I only heard about his quick spiral into poor health from bits and pieces of my parents' conversations over the phone with Aunt Lillian and Uncle Ralph.

In 1985 AIDS killed my cousin before much was known about the spread and treatment of HIV. More than 20 years later there is still no cure, but HIV does not always mean AIDS and certain death. This is where the MAC AIDS Fund steps in to take care of people living with HIV and AIDS. Alicia Schenk organized the 2008 MAC AIDS Benefit setting up an entertainment line up with some of the most interesting and coolest acts in Nashville. As you can see from the video, we all had a great time and everything turned out so beautiful and stylish. You can see pictures from the event photographer at www.pictage.com/580660 .



Nashville CARES was there distributing information, for their food pantry gets lots of donations from the MAC AIDS Fund and they are totally local, which is great for this city. It seems that things are so good in Nashville, that, according to local doctors, they don't see cases where people living with HIV go without the right care if they seek it out. It is because events like the MAC AIDS Benefit are so well put together they can't help but bring a crowd. After word of mouth from this year's benefit gets out, next years will probably be even more successful.



Contact Nasvhille CARES: http://www.nashvillecares.org/

MAC AIDS Fund: http://www.macaidsfund.org/

for additional information.



2008 MAC AIDS Benefit: Kiss for Life from Jake Stein on Vimeo.