NEW YORK(SMI-WIRE,05.06.16)The Latino Commission on AIDS, held it's 21th annual Cielo Gala event, honoring Dr. Demetre Daskalakis and Victor Martinez for their greatest contribution as leaders on their respective field of expertice at Legendary Cipriani's Wall Street in NYC.

The event was Co-hosted by Actor J.W. Cortes, best known for his role as Detective Carlos Alvarez in "GOTHAM" and NBC 4 New York news anchor Sibila Vargas.The gala was attended by numerous VIP's and media personalities from the Fashion, entertainment,legal and corporate patrons who contributed with their great support attending this annual gala event.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is the assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS prevention and control of the New York City Department of Health and mental Hygiene was honored and awarded with the "Esperanza Award ", while Victor Martinez ,the other honoree received the "Dennis de Leon Voz de Compromiso Award.

Also during the event, a Special attendee Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was named the 2016 new Madrina of the Latino Commission on AIDS.In her role as Madrina, Wurtzbach will lend her voice over the next year, during appearances with the Latino Commission on AIDS, to educate and promote HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention within the Latino community throughout the U.S.

"Our organization and our programs have evolved over the last three decades to respond to the changing

needs of people living with HIV and AIDS and to the needs of our community,"said Guillermo Chacon,

president of the Latino Commission on AIDS. " Yet the commitment of the  Miss Universe Organization

to unite with us in our misssion to stop HIV and end AIDS over the last decade, even through times of

transition, has been unwavering. We are exited to work with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach

to help us achieve a world without AIDS and welcome her with open arms."

The event theme – Designing a World Without AIDS - speaks to critical health issues, along with the organization’s efforts to confront stigma and isolation, and in particular to highlight the harsh reality of the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS faced by some of our most vulnerable populations.

About the Latino Commission on AIDS:

The Latino Commission on AIDS(Commission) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 dedicated

to meet the health challenges and addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS, viral Hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Latino community.The Commission is the leading organization

coordinating National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day (May 15),Latinos in the Deep South, and other 

prevention, research, capacity building , and advocacy programs across the United States and its territories.