OC Gala Raises $300,000 for Life-Saving LGBTQ+ Healthcare

Radiant Health Centers 39th Annual Gala ceremony.

Radiant Health Centers celebrated a remarkable success with its 39th Annual Gala, Power of Pride: Heroes Unite. Held on March 29, 2025, the sold-out evening united hundreds of supporters and raised over $300,000 for inclusive healthcare and vital social services across Orange County. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, we’re able to continue delivering compassionate health and HIV care to the LGBTQ+ community and others who need it.

39th Annual Gala Celebrates Unity, Resilience and Generosity

Now in its 39th year, Radiant Health Centers’ Annual Gala is a flagship event in the movement for health equity in Orange County. This year’s celebration once again saw the community join together for an evening of inspirational speeches, powerful live performances and generous giving.

One of the evening’s most inspiring moments came when headliner David Archuleta took the stage to deliver a performance that captured the night’s spirit of resilience and hope. The singer-songwriter, who has become a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, was honored with the Radiant Compassion Award for his personal journey and ongoing advocacy work.

Amy and Mike Morhaim, co-founders of Dreamhaven, also received the Radiant Compassion Award for their work promoting inclusivity and innovation in the gaming industry. Meanwhile, the Beacon of Hope Award was presented to MenAlive – Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus, in recognition of their role in strengthening LGBTQ+ visibility and unity through music.

Raising Funds for Healthcare in Challenging Times

As Orange County’s first FQHC Look-Alike for the LGBTQ+ community, Radiant Health Centers remains committed to delivering inclusive healthcare. In light of ongoing threats to LGBTQ+ rights and access to care, CEO Philip Yaeger emphasized the importance of community support by saying, “At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare access are under attack, this unwavering support ensures that no one in our community is denied the care they deserve.”

Funding Life-Saving Medical Care and Key Social Services

With over $300,000 raised from this year’s event, Radiant Health Centers can continue to expand its services and reach more people struggling to access the healthcare they need. Donations will directly support critical services at our Irvine LGBTQ+ medical clinic, including primary care, HIV treatment, behavioral health counseling, youth programs, as well as our food pantry.

All of this vital work is only possible thanks to the support of our many generous donors and sponsors. This year’s Annual Gala corporate sponsors included Gilead, Kaiser Permanente, Dreamhaven, The Moca Foundation, Hyundai, Jackson Family Wines, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The event’s success was made possible by the dedication and leadership of co-chairs Adrienne Matro, Jeanne Pepper, and Dr. Duane Vajgrt, MD. Thanks to this collective support, more patients will now receive the inclusive, life-affirming care they deserve.

Trusted Health and HIV Care in Orange County

For primary care, HIV treatment, counseling, nutritional support and other key services, visit Radiant Health Centers in Irvine, CA. We provide skilled and compassionate care for the LGBTQ+ community and others throughout Orange County. Give us a call at (949) 809-5700 or contact us today to learn more.

Image Credit – Radiant Health Centers

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How Health Awareness Supports a Healthier Orange County

Health awareness in Irvine.

Health awareness is recognizing your body’s warning signs and making informed decisions about diet, exercise and medical care. At our LGBTQ+ medical clinic in Orange County, we regularly see the benefits of preventive care that helps patients take charge of their health. Rather than waiting for problems to appear, a focus on primary care, mental health and nutrition can help prevent illness before it starts.

The Cost of Avoiding Health Awareness

Taking proactive steps with your health has long been vital to individual well-being as well as broader public health efforts. Health research has identified that missed prevention opportunities cost the U.S. $55 billion every year, representing about 30 cents of every healthcare dollar spent. However, the true cost of neglecting health awareness and preventive care goes beyond the financial, covering delayed diagnoses, unmanaged chronic conditions and preventable hospitalizations.

Keeping Patients Healthy With Accessible Primary Care

LGBTQ+ patients and others within the Orange County community often encounter barriers to accessible primary care. Yet primary care is a critical part of catching health issues early. At Radiant Health Centers, part of our mission is to increase access to knowledgeable, judgment-free medical care, including health screenings, HIV treatment, hormone therapy and other vital services. And as proper nutrition is an essential component of overall health, we also operate a food pantry assisting those underserved in Orange County.

Mental Wellness Is a Foundation for Better Health

While mental health support is often associated with times of crisis, it’s also a key tool of preventive care. At Radiant Health Centers, our behavioral health and counseling services support patients dealing with substance abuse, anxiety and stress, emotional challenges and HIV-related issues. By proactively working on mental wellness, patients can also experience the related benefits of improved physical health and immune function.

Nutrition Is Key to Disease Prevention

Another pillar of health awareness is recognizing how the food we consume each day affects our health. Whether it’s skipping meals, eating foods with low nutritional value, or struggling with food insecurity, an inadequate diet is a leading contributor to poor health over the long term. In recent years we have taken steps to tackle these issues within the community, growing our food pantry and offering nutrition services and dietary planning for patients.

How to Make Health Awareness a Daily Habit

Health awareness and preventive care are about taking daily actions to promote good health and build long-term resilience. From attending regular checkups and eating balanced meals to making use of behavioral health and counseling services, simple steps can help prevent severe or chronic conditions. With National Hunger Awareness, Men’s Health Month and Cancer Survivors Month all taking place in June, there’s no better time to reflect on your health and take steps towards staying well in the present and into the future.

Contact Us for Primary Health Care and Behavioral Services in Irvine

Radiant Health Centers delivers compassionate medical care, counseling and social services in Irvine, CA. We support the LGBTQ+ community and other Orange County patients with preventive care advice and expert treatment. Call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment today.

Image Credit – S_L/Shutterstock.com

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Pride Month and the Fight for LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equity

Orange County Pride Month donation.

Pride Month has arrived, bringing flags, parades, and a stark reminder that the work is far from over. As Orange County’s largest LGBTQ+ healthcare provider, we see firsthand the challenges too many in our community still face when seeking care. From limited access to HIV treatment and HRT to judgment and denial of care, these problems are happening right here in Orange County every day.

Pride Month 2025 Is More Than a Celebration

LGBTQ+ communities are facing an increasingly hostile climate, with hard-won rights and protections under threat. This occurs even in healthcare, where access, safety and dignity are too often denied. Pride Month is a chance to push back and affirm that no one in our community should be silenced, erased or left behind.

During Pride Month 2025, the LGBTQ+ community will celebrate the history of the movement and the progress we’ve made. But it’s equally important to recognize the fear that many still carry when walking into a clinic, and the judgment they may face when seeking care. Everyone deserves equitable, affirming healthcare, and with your support we can continue changing lives for the better.

Stand Up and Speak Out During Pride Month

Pride is taking an active role in your community. It’s about being vocal and being seen, showing resistance through advocacy, volunteering and giving. You have the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives, in the healthcare they receive and the dignity they’re shown when they are treated.

During Pride Month an anonymous donor is matching gifts up to $50,000, meaning that every dollar you donate will be doubled. Essentially, through June 30th your act of generosity will have twice the impact. From the person newly diagnosed with HIV who needs immediate treatment, to the transgender teen finally accessing affirming care, your support helps make accessible, compassionate care possible. Please give what you can before the match expires, and show how solidarity can deliver real change when it’s needed most. Give here.

How to Make a Difference This Pride Month

Taking part and being seen matters. Whether you join a parade, attend a community event or show up for someone in your life, your contribution sends a message that LGBTQ+ voices will not be ignored. You can find events in your local community and participate in-person and across your social media. And for those struggling to access the healthcare they need to live with dignity, you can help by pointing them towards the health and social services available at our Irvine center.

Orange County’s Leading Provider of LGBTQ+ Health Services

Radiant Health Centers provides accessible health and social services for the LGBTQ+ community and others across Orange County. Visit us in Irvine for compassionate healthcare, and please consider donating during Pride Month this June. Call (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment today.

Image Credit – Jo Panuwat D/Shutterstock.com

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