New York City has a proud history as a leader in the war on HIV/AIDS. From the early grassroots mobilization of the GMHC and ACT UP, to the powerful march of the annual AIDS Walk and the hundreds of millions of dollars raised by local HIV-related charities to fund crucial support services, research, care, and advocacy; New Yorkers do it all.

It is with great humility and with great respect to this proud heritage that I would like to introduce you to a new charity dedicated to this fight, Covalent Immunology Foundation.

Covalent Immunology Foundation (CIF) was formed last year to help fund research and development of abzyme-based medical products for intractable diseases. CIF’s goal is to support scientific and medical collaborations among various academic centers working to advance this innovative science and its potential uses to immunize against and treat HIV.

While the scientific and operational details of the organization are important (see below for more), what I really want to call your attention to is the upcoming fundraising event, Hard Medicine.

CIF’s newest board member, Wesley Vultaggio, owner and creative director of Arizona Beverages, will graciously open his home on June 8 to host an elegant evening in support of this promising new branch of immunology. The evening will include the unveiling of a new clinical fundraising initiative, details on our fall Los Angeles Gala, and brief talk and Q&A with Dr. Sudhir Paul.

In the spirit of our debut event, Hard Medicine, the evening will not be without entertainment and culture. Live arrangements from Juilliard’s classic music department will open the night, while the illuminated sound of DJ & electric violinist duet Moe & Moretti will send us home. Passed hors d’oeuvres will accompany refreshments by Barefoot Bubbly and Wine.

CIF is most grateful to Arizona Beverages for making this evening possible, and continuing to support innovative charity efforts.

More Details about CIF and Dr. Sudhir Paul:

Dr. Sudhir Paul, head of the Chemical Immunology Research Center at The University of Texas Houston Medical School, leads the field in abzyme-based research. His team has received 42 NIH grants totaling more than $27 million, and their latest research shows that abzyme technology has the potential for use as both a prophylactic to prevent HIV infection and as a therapeutic to treat those infected with HIV. There is no promise this approach will work, but we at CIF strongly believe that this innovative approach must be explored fully at this critical juncture in the worldwide fight against HIV.