MILWAUKEE — Vivent Health will celebrate 40 years on the front lines of the HIV epidemic at its annual Make A Promise Gala, which has officially sold out more than two weeks in advance, signaling strong community support heading into a milestone year.
The gala, taking place Friday, April 10 at The Pfister Hotel, serves as the official kickoff of Vivent Health’s 40th anniversary where they’ll honor the legacy of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) and the community that built one of the nation’s most effective models of HIV care.
Founded in 1986 during the height of the AIDS crisis, ARCW began as a grassroots response to support those impacted when few systems existed. Forty years later, that work continues through Vivent Health, helping people live long, healthy lives while working to end the HIV epidemic.
Today, that community-built approach has helped drive some of the strongest HIV outcomes in the country. What was built here in Wisconsin is now being looked to as a model for HIV care nationally. Vivent Health patients achieve viral suppression rates far above national averages, reflecting a model that goes beyond clinical care to address housing, food access, mental health, and other barriers that impact long-term health.
“Forty years in, this work is still about care, dignity, and showing up for people,” said Brandon Hill, PhD, President and CEO of Vivent Health. “This progress didn’t happen by chance. It happened because this community stepped up and built a model of care rooted in trust, dignity, and real access. We are closer than ever to ending the HIV epidemic, but sustaining that progress will take the same level of commitment and community leadership that has carried this work for four decades.
The Make A Promise tradition began with a small Milwaukee dinner in 1986 and has grown into one of the region’s most impactful annual fundraisers. Proceeds remove barriers to essential services for patients, including medication assistance, food access, and emergency financial support.
Honoring Leaders in the Fight Against HIV
The Make A Promise Gala honors individuals and organizations whose leadership, generosity, and advocacy have shaped the response to HIV in Milwaukee and beyond. This year’s honorees include:
- Leadership Award: Doug Nelson, former Executive Director of ARCW (1988–2012), who helped build the organization from its earliest days into a leading model of HIV care and services
- Philanthropy Award: Cream City Foundation and Greater Milwaukee Foundation, whose financial support and community leadership have helped fuel the region’s response to the HIV epidemic
- Vision Award: BESTD Clinic, a longtime partner in Milwaukee providing critical sexual health services, particularly for LGBTQ+ communities
- Courage Award: The late Paul Milakovich, an early ARCW leader and fierce advocate for people living with HIV.
Event Details
Make A Promise Gala
Friday, April 10, 2026
The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
More information: MakeAPromiseGala.com
