Press Releases and Agency News about Radiant Health Centers, an LGBTQ+ focused health care agency based in Orange County.

Radiant Health Centers presents Stairway to the Stars gala with special celebrity guests

Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: 619-245-8866

Fundraiser benefits the nonprofit’s expansion of health services to entire LGBTQ community

IRVINE, Calif. – Prepare for a magical, history-making night filled with entertainment and inspiration on June 2 from 6 to 10 p.m. as singer-songwriter and Tony award-winning actor Levi Kreis and actor and comedian Jason Stuart headline Radiant Health Centers’ Stairway to the Stars gala. The event takes place at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

Stairway to the Stars raises funds for Radiant Health Centers’ expansion of health services to the entire LGBTQ community, while maintaining its long-standing commitment to end the HIV epidemic in Orange County.

Renowned singer and songwriter Levi Kreis will revive some of his best-known stage performances, perform original songs and share some of his personal journey as a gay man. Kreis has starred in the national tour of RENT and played and performed as Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet, for which he won a Tony Award.

Jason Stuart, a well-known actor and stand-up comedian, who is widely known for starring on shows including The Closer, Will & Grace and House, M.D., will perform skits from his acclaimed standup comedy routine.

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization; will be honored at the event with an award for its groundbreaking work to improve health equity for the LGBTQ community.

“Stairway to the Stars will raise funds to build a dedicated LGBTQ health center and create a healthy Orange County for all,” said David Piazza, Chief Development Officer, Radiant Health Centers. “Through our 33 years serving the community, we have seen first-hand how stigma, poverty, cultural misunderstandings and other health barriers have led to heighted health risks in Orange County’s vulnerable LGBTQ population.”

“This is a very special and important event for Radiant Health Centers and we consider it an honor to be able to share it with the Human Rights Campaign,” said Piazza. “The advancements in LGBTQ rights that HRC has achieved over the years is simply amazing.”

More than 12,000 LGBTQ residents of Orange County are underinsured, or without health insurance, and many live at or below the poverty level so even basic healthcare is out of reach, let alone HIV prevention or suppression medications and mental or behavioral health counseling.

To eradicate HIV/AIDS in Orange County and to improve health equity for the LGBTQ community, Radiant Health Centers is raising funds to expand and offer medical services specialized to meeting the unique needs and issues of the LGBTQ community.

Radiant Health Centers’ medical center will become a one-stop shop for medical and dental needs, counseling services, and easy access to medications through an onsite pharmacy.

To join in the fun at Stairway to the Stars and support the cause of LGBTQ health in Orange County, visit www.radianthealthcenters.org or contact David Piazza at (949) 809-5733 or DPiazza@radianthealthcenters.org.

About Radiant Health Centers

Radiant Health Centers has provided more than three decades of exceptional care and support to people affected by HIV and their loved ones. It has been instrumental in driving new HIV transmissions down over the past 15 years; however, six people a week in Orange County are still diagnosed with HIV.

Radiant Health Centers encompasses traditional HIV testing and prevention outreach as well as long-standing services to Orange County’s HIV positive community while also creating a safe space to help more members of our LGBT community in need of compassionate care. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.

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Hundreds To March In One Of The Oldest AIDS Walks In The Country To End The Epidemic by 2025

Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: 619-245-8866

IRVINE, Calif. (April 30, 2018) – The 32nd Annual AIDS Walk OC will take place on Saturday, May 5. The walk, one of the oldest in the country, which starts and ends in William R. Mason Park, is expected to draw hundreds of people and raise thousands of dollars to support the men, women and children living with HIV in Orange County while preventing the spread of HIV.

“Rather than going away, HIV transmissions continue almost daily in Orange County with six new infections every week,” said Phil Yaeger, CEO at Radiant Health Centers. “Our goal is zero and we want to achieve that by 2025.”

Today, there are nearly 7,000 people living with HIV in Orange County. That is enough to fill the Orange County Fairgrounds Grandstand. While it is no longer a life sentence, people with HIV must take costly medications every day for the rest of their lives and, unfortunately, face great stigma. It is an incredibly stressful and isolating diagnosis.

The 5K fundraiser will benefit various recipient agencies in Orange County that serve those living with HIV/AIDS, including Radiant Health Centers, Shanti Orange County, The Center and Straight Talk.

Radiant Health Centers provides crucial programs for more than 1,300 people living with HIV and their families, including free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, a food pantry, family and kids programs, housing and mental health services, while working to improve health equity for the LGBTQ community.

The theme for this year’s walk is Rise Above. This theme reminds us that together, we can lift each other up to overcome the epidemic.

Radiant Health Centers is strongly supported by the corporate community and sponsors include PIMCO Foundation, Pacific Life Foundation, MAC Cosmetics, Quest Diagnostics and Room & Board.

Participants can visit https://www.radianthealthcenters.org/events/awoc to register.

Event Details

What: 32nd Annual AIDS Walk OC

When: Saturday, May 5, 2018

  • Registration: 8:30 a.m.
  • Opening ceremony: 10 a.m.
  • Run begins: 10:30 a.m.
  • Walk begins: 10:45 a.m.

Visuals: Walkers dressed in festive attire, including aviator attire, zip up flight suits and ties.

Where: William R. Mason Park, 18712 University Drive, Irvine, CA
Coming from the 5 Freeway, head west on Culver and take a right on University. Parking is provided.

Join the AIDS Walk OC community online through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Radiant Health Centers

Radiant Health Centers has provided more than three decades of exceptional care and support to people affected by HIV and their loved ones. It has been instrumental in driving new HIV transmissions down over the past 15 years; however, six people a week in Orange County are still diagnosed with HIV. Radiant Health Centers encompasses traditional HIV testing and prevention outreach as well as long-standing services to Orange County’s HIV positive community while also creating a safe space to help more members of our LGBTQ community in need of compassionate care. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.

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Radiant Health Centers Expands Mental Health Services to Entire LGBTQ Community

Media contact:
Sandra Wellhausen
swellhausen@wrightoncomm.com
C: 619-245-8866

Services are open to people 12 years and older, regardless of HIV status

IRVINE, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2018) – On March 1, Radiant Health Centers expanded its mental health services to the entire LGBTQ community. The services are available to members of the LGBTQ community, at least 12 years old regardless of HIV status.

More than 12,000 LGBTQ residents in Orange County are underinsured and many live at or below the poverty level so even basic healthcare is out of reach, including mental health services.

Discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, as well as health disparities, take a terrible human toll and are associated with high rates of mental illness, substance abuse and suicide. It is also associated with a higher risk for HIV.

“The LGBTQ community faces the most discrimination in healthcare, while comprising 80 percent of Radiant Health Centers’ current client base,” said Phil Yaeger, executive director and CEO. “The only way to get to zero new HIV transmissions is to address these health inequities and expand services for the LGBTQ community.”

The expanded mental health services are the first planned added services for Radiant Health Centers to meet the need of Orange County’s LGBTQ community and get to zero new HIV transmissions.

“Rather than going away, HIV transmissions continue almost daily in Orange County with six new infections every week,” said Yaeger. “Our goal is zero.”

Radiant Health Centers accepts Medi-Cal and also offers these services on a sliding scale for people who do not have insurance.

 About Radiant Health Centers

Radiant Health Centers has provided more than three decades of exceptional care and support to people affected by HIV and their loved ones. It has been instrumental in driving new HIV transmissions down over the past 15 years; however, six people a week in Orange County are still diagnosed with HIV.

Radiant Health Centers encompasses traditional HIV testing and prevention outreach as well as long-standing services to Orange County’s HIV positive community while also creating a safe space to help more members of our LGBTQ community in need of compassionate care. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.

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