Treatment Action Group to Honor John Benjamin Hickey 12/11

Treatment Action Group (TAG), one of the leading AIDS research advocacy organizations, will host its 15th annual Research in Action Awards (RIAA), honoring individuals who have made a significant contribution in AIDS research and activism.

The 2011 Research in Action Awards will take place at the 11th floor aerie of the MidTown Loft (267 Fifth Avenue at 29th Street) on Sunday, December 11th (6:30 PM). Jenna Wolfe of NBC’s “Weekend Today” will serve as host.

TAG is proud to present its 2011 RIAA Awards to: Dr. Polly Harrison, Founder of the Alliance for Microbicide Development; John Benjamin Hickey, winner of the 2011 Tony Award for his role in “The Normal Heart, and co-star of the Showtime hit “The Big C;” and Dr. Robert F. Siliciano, Medical Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute & Professor of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Presenters will include Andy Cohen, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development, responsible for overseeing the network's current development and production slate of over two dozen shows, including hits such as the Emmy and James Beard award-winning “Top Chef;” “Top Chef Masters;” “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” as well as New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, and DC; “Kathy Griffin My Life On the D-List;” “The Millionaire Matchmaker;” “Million Dollar Listing;” “The Rachel Zoe Project;” “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover;” and “Flipping Out,” among others. In addition, Cohen is the host and Executive Producer of “Watch What Happens: Live.”

Acclaimed artist and photographer Bill Jacobson has generously donated a limited edition image New Year’s Day #5090 [2003], available to qualifying sponsors of the 2011 RIAA Awards.

Founded in 1992, Treatment Action Group fights to ensure that all people living with HIV receive the necessary treatment, care, and information they need. Today, nearly 30 years into this global pandemic, TAG remains the only organization in the world dedicated to AIDS research advocacy for better treatments, a vaccine, and cure for AIDS. TAG is the leading community activist science-based AIDS policy, research, and treatment advocacy think tank; TAG’s activism speeds up research on HIV basic science, treatment, prevention, and vaccines; hepatitis and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection; U.S. and global treatment access; and community empowerment. TAG leads and participates in activist coalitions in the United States and around the world to expand access to effective treatment for HIV and its most common co-infections. TAG catalyzes efforts to strengthen and expand research on HIV and related diseases so that people with HIV can live long and healthy lives. TAG’s ultimate goal is to accelerate research for a cure and a vaccine for HIV.

Tickets are available from $150 by calling 212-253-7922 or online at www.treatmentactiongroup.org