The San Diego HIV-AIDS Community lost an early advocate and leader with the recent death of Dr. Ruth Riedel, former CEO of Alliance Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative (SDHFC) was started at the San Diego Foundation before transitioning to the Alliance Healthcare Foundation. Both Foundations contributed and raised funds for local HIV/AIDS education prevention, and care at a time when too few others would.
Ruth Riedel, as CEO of Alliance Healthcare Foundation, was personally committed to the success of the SDHFC for years as she and her staff helped raise significant monies to support local service providers and HIV education. The SDHFC pooled funds raised with AIDS Walk funds and distributed them among local agencies. Ruth provided meeting space, significant staff time, and AHF grants to ensure the effectiveness and success of the SDHFC.
Those old enough to remember the challenges and fear at the outset of the AIDS epidemic shall be forever grateful for Dr. Ruth Riedel. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 21st at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest. Services will begin at 2 PM.
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