The Ruby Gala is an annual event that supports people with HIV, helping them overcome barriers to receiving treatment and imprinting sustainable HIV care onto our future by recruiting and training HIV practitioners.
“I truly believe the end of HIV is achievable in our generation,” says Sean Kelly, medical director of the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic (VCCC), Vanderbilt’s HIV treatment center serving more than 3,800 clients. “I hope the Ruby Gala and the Ruby Legacy Fund will help to get Tennessee there faster.”
Sean has served as board chair of the Ruby Gala since 2019, when he launched the event to help clients overcome barriers to medical care. Since its debut, the annual black-tie-optional event has funded a transportation program, an on-site food pantry, a harm-reduction program for clients with substance use disorders, and a dental program, among other initiatives.
“When someone living with HIV can access medical care and control the infection, the virus becomes undetectable in their blood and they can’t transmit the virus to others,” Sean explains. “By breaking down barriers to receiving HIV care, we can get more people to the undetectable level and further reduce new HIV infections in our community.” Sean notes that the percentage of VCCC patients with undetectable levels of HIV is now among the highest in the country — a feat he attributes to programs funded by the Ruby Gala. “While directly benefiting people living with HIV, the Ruby Gala also directly benefits the public health of Nashville,” he adds.
At the 2024 Ruby Gala at Marathon Music Works, Sean and his team launched the Ruby Legacy Fund, a permanent endowment to ensure sustainable and equitable access to HIV care across Tennessee until the HIV epidemic is over.
“The support from the community toward our mission really has been overwhelming, far greater than I expected,” Sean says. “Seeing this support and advocacy — often from those who knew very little about HIV before they met me — has taught me, truly, that we absolutely can end HIV.”
Jacket, shirt, cufflinks, pants: Hive & Colony
Tie: Egara
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