Kirsten Felix is the Executive Director of an AIDS-service organization, AIDS Resource. This non-profit organization is in debt because of the embezzlement of grant monies due to a former board member. Kirsten raised money through fundraising and pleas to family and was able to turn the financial funds around. Kirsten always had a dream to open her very own personal care whom for HIV positive clients. In 2006, a woman left a donation to AIDS Resource in her will. Since that time, West House provided the welcoming environment for any HIV positive client who are in need of personal care services.
These five heroes were specially picked out by five “celebrity” judges. These judges were chosen by the Bristol Meyers Squibb pharmaceutical company. This company makes the drug ATRIPLA that sponsored the contest. The judges all have some unique way that they are involved in the HIV/AIDS community. The first judge is Wilson Cruz, an award winning actor. Wilson Cruz is especially known for his lead role, Angel, in the movie Rent and several other hit movies and TV shows. Dionne Warwick is one of the other judges. She is a well-known actress and singer. The third judge is Dustin Lance Black, also an award winning actor, who has been featured in several star films.
The five heroes were able to attend part of the United States Conference on AIDS held in Chicago, Illinois, on November 3-5, 2011. At this conference the five winners were able to meet each other and get to know two of the judges that chose them as the heroes. Wilson Cruz and David G were the judges that were able to make the conference. While at the conference the five heroes spent part of their day on Saturday, November 4, at the ATRIPLA booth. This was the special revealing of the heroes. They were able to meet with the people that were attending the conference and tell some of them a little bit of their story and why they were chosen as a hero.
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