Amsterdam Dinner raises € 650,000 destined mainly for H-TEAM
On Saturday 4th June, the 24th Amsterdam Dinner, the annual Dutch business community’s benefit gala to raise money for the fight against AIDS, raised € 650,000, the same amount as last year. The money will be spent primarily on scientific research into acute HIV infections, an area covered by the Amsterdam partnership working towards an HIV-free future, the H-TEAM.
Proceeds earmarked for the H-TEAM
As with last year’s Amsterdam Dinner, most of the proceeds of this edition will go to the H-TEAM. This team of Dutch scientists and doctors carry out research into HIV, including acute HIV infection. If an HIV infection is detected early enough and treatment with HIV inhibitors is started immediately, there is a high chance that, with time, medication will no longer be necessary. The results of this study may lead to a potential medical breakthrough in the treatment of people with HIV.
‘I am who I am’
The motto for this year’s Amsterdam Dinner was ‘I am who I am’. The stigma that continues to be associated with HIV and AIDS causes a great deal of additional suffering. Fear of being judged and rejected means that people do not seek testing and treatment and consequently die unnecessarily.
Prominent guests
The more than 1000 guests at the Amsterdam Dinner included Princess Mabel of Orange, fashion designers Victor&Rolf and 3 government ministers, Lilianne Ploumen (Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), Bert Koenders (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and Ronald Plasterk (Minister of Interior and Kingdom Affairs). Attendees could take part in an auction and bid for a dinner with Minister Koenders or tea with the Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan. The evening was presented by Nicolette Kluijver, ambassador of STOP AIDS NOW!, and Karin Bloemen.