Sandy Campbell
Mark your calendar for a dazzling evening on February 10 as Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic (VCCC) holds its annual Ruby Gala.
The black-tie-optional event invites the Nashville community to come together for a fun-filled evening raising funds and awareness to end the HIV epidemic.
Held at Marathon Music Works, the Ruby Gala begins at 6 p.m. and is expected to draw more than 350 attendees. Guests will be treated to a lavish evening featuring a plated dinner curated by Chef’s Market, an open cocktail bar, live and silent auctions, and entertainment from local band Burning Las Vegas. After the gala, the good times continue with a Late Party hosted at The Westin Nashville’s chic L27 Rooftop Lounge. In an effort to welcome those who may feel intimidated by more traditional galas, Ruby Gala prioritizes approachable ticket prices to make the event an inclusive experience for all.
“The Ruby Gala is a formal event, but that doesn’t mean we spare any fun. It’s wonderfully high-energy from start to finish with excellent food, drinks, entertainment, and company. We keep our ticket price points as low as we can so that the gala is approachable to the whole community. What we get is a diverse (and stunning!) crowd ready to unite in our mission,” says VCCC Medical Director and Ruby Gala co-chair, Dr. Sean Kelly. “Our mission to support people living with HIV is what past guests remember most. We have lost too many to the disease, yet we’ve also come so far and have triumphed in so many ways. It’s that triumph, and the passion we need to keep fighting until the HIV epidemic is over, that guests really feel.”
The gala raises funds and awareness that directly contribute to two critical components in the fight to end the HIV epidemic: helping people with HIV overcome barriers to receiving treatment and implementing sustainable HIV care for future generations through the recruitment and training of HIV practitioners. Since the inaugural Ruby Gala in December 2021, proceeds have supported those living with HIV in Nashville and Middle Tennessee by covering necessities including transportation, nutrition, housing, utilities, medical equipment, dental care, newborn essentials, and much more. Funds also support the recruitment and training of HIV practitioners at a time when our country faces a critical shortage.
“We have phenomenally effective HIV treatment—so effective that people with HIV cannot transmit the virus to others when on treatment—and medications that prevent HIV in those who are at risk. If we got everyone living with HIV or at risk for HIV on these medications, the HIV epidemic would be over. But it’s not that simple. People with HIV very often face insurmountable barriers to receiving HIV care, like poverty, food or housing insecurity, lack of transportation, and addiction. We use funds from the Ruby Gala to dismantle these barriers so that everyone with HIV can get to a clinic, control their infections, stop the cycle of transmission, and live long and healthy lives,” says Dr. Kelly.
Despite these triumphant developments in treatment, Dr. Kelly stresses the importance of community involvement in order to see real, long- term change.
“An unfortunate fact is that, despite the effective treatment that we have, the number of new infections and deaths from HIV isn’t really declining, especially in the South. Something needs to change, which is why community involvement is critical. We all need to understand that HIV is still a problem, that it’s still harming our communities, and that treatment and prevention are available to everyone who needs it. We need to be advocates for those living with HIV to improve their overall health and wellness, which thereby improves that of our whole community,” he says.
This year’s Ruby Gala will also include a special announcement that further exemplifies VCCC’s ongoing commitment to the cause.
“As federal funds for HIV treatment and prevention become scarcer in Tennessee, our call to action has never been more critical,” says Dr. Kelly. “This is our great state, these are our strong communities, and we have to not only support those who need us now but imprint sustainable support for our future. I’m thrilled to announce that at this year’s gala, we will be launching the Ruby Legacy Fund, a permanent endowment to continue to fund our work until the HIV epidemic is over.”
(Marathon Music Works, 1402 Clinton St., give.vanderbilthealth.org)