Categorized | Volunteering

Hilo man honored for contributions to HIV / AIDS prevention

MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Health STD/AIDS Prevention Branch has announced the 9th Annual Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award will be presented to Lenard Allen of Hilo.

The award will be presented at the World AIDS Day event Saturday, Dec. 1 in Honolulu.

Allen is being honored for his tremendous contributions to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in Hawaii.

“Mr. Allen has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty to develop and implement activities to support the HIV community in Hawaii,” said Health Director Loretta Fuddy. “His unwavering commitment to give of himself to individuals and organizations in need makes him a most deserving recipient of the 9th Annual Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award.”

Monica Adams M.A., M.B.A., Director of Development for the Bay Clinic Family Health Centers said of Allen: “His work has profoundly changed the environment for HIV/AIDS care, perceptions, and services in East Hawaii. There are some people in this world who do tremendous things, who work tirelessly for a cause, and who do it without recognition and fame. Lenard is one of these people.”

For 20 years, Allen has been actively involved in HIV client services, care, prevention, community education, advocacy, and fundraising.

Allen has worked in HIV/AIDS services at the Big Island AIDS Project, Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation, and Bay Clinic, Inc. His considerable efforts have focused on all persons living with HIV and those at risk for acquiring HIV.

Allen also founded OUTSPOKEN, which served as a community fundraiser to fill in service gaps for people living with HIV. He developed a free counseling program and phone support for individuals living with HIV. He worked with the Big Island Aloha Patrol for four years as a liaison and advocate between business owners, community, and the County of Hawaii Judiciary to provide referrals to services, testing, healthcare and education.

Suzanne Richmond-Crum passed away in August 2004 after serving as director of the Hawaii Seropositivity and Medical Management Program (HSPAMM) of the DOH STD/AIDS Prevention Branch for more than 10 years.

The award was established in honor of the competence and compassion she demonstrated in her HIV/AIDS work, and is presented annually to an individual in Hawaii for their outstanding contribution in providing HIV/AIDS services.

— Find out more:
www.worldaidsdayhawaii.org

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

 

Quantcast