Beautiful Black and White Ball benefit for an important cause!

Sharp, distinguished tuxedos and elegant shimmering dresses crowded Harrah’s Reno convention center on Saturday, October 7th for the 2nd Annual Black and White Ball of Northern Nevada.

Nearly 400 people attended the gala for the 1400 HIV-AIDS patients that will benefit from the occasion. There was a fantastic three-course dinner featuring red, pink, and white bottles of wine at every table. This year’s event included silent auctions with all proceeds going to patients, comedian Miss Coco Peru, and a special presentation by the Reno Dance Company who performed “Broadway Blasts”, a tribute to Broadway classics.

Black and White balls have been a tradition since the 1920s, but the Black and White balls created to help HIV-AIDS patients have been running since the mid 1980s and started in San Francisco, said Treasurer Gerard Griner of The Northern Nevada Black and White Committee. This is the second year that the Black and White ball has been brought to Northern Nevada.

The Colin Ross band featuring Mig O’Hara played smooth jazz tunes to the chatty guests to enjoy during their delicious dinner.

MAC makeup was also at the event selling their new line of “Viva Glam” cosmetics in which 100% of proceeds go to the MAC AIDS funds to support the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“This is a great event,” smiled Jeannette Chiappero of Reno who attended the event. “I go to a lot of functions but they don’t have entertainment like this.”

The ball was presented by organizations such as Northern Nevada H.O.P.E.S, The Sierra Foothills Aids Foundation, The Northern Nevada Black and White Ball Committee, and this year’s special sponsor, Nevada Aids Foundation (NAF).

Chanel and Trixxxi, two beautifully dress lovely ladies served as hostesses for the event greeting guests as they arrived through the door. “Wonderful, fabulous it’s so much fun,” giggled Channel with her shiny ice blue dress. “I love being a hostess.”

Vicky Wright, chairwoman of the Black and White Ball committee opened the show and presented the guests. “Last year we made around $150,000 with the three hundred and twenty five people that attended,” said Wright, “This year we have around four hundred people and we are hoping to exceed our previous goal.”

Trudy Larson, member of Nevada AIDS advisory task force, HIV specialist and professor at UNR school of Medicine graced the stage with a standing ovation from the hundreds of guests. “This event is helping with where we are at and where we are going.” She said proudly.

“Trudy is a fabulous speaker and this is event is lots of fun,” said Wendell Norris of Reno who also attened the event. “There’s great entertainment and it’s for a super cause.”

The beautifully hand made quilts that stood high on the center stage wall this year were made from Reno/Sparks locals in memory for 88 people who have died from AIDS in Reno and Sparks. The quilts last year were from Northern Nevada as well but Wright said they used Reno/sparks residents for a more local touch.

One of the most heartbreaking moments at the event was when special guest speaker Jeanne White-Ginder gave her powerful speech about AIDS. Jeanne White-Ginder made national news in the 1980s when her 13-year-old son Ryan White contracted AIDS through blood-based products used to treat his hemophilia.

“Because of AIDS, my life changed over night,” White-Ginder began speaking to a hushed crowd. “Sometimes with the love of your children, you can do things you thought you never could. Because I’m a mom at least I tried.”

She showed a film that was made around the late 1980s early 1990s about her son and his battle, his inspiration, and the awareness he brought to thousands of people about the then little known horrific epidemic.

“We have drugs, treatments, and care now that is greatly needed to continue through the Ryan White CARE Act” According to Ryanwhite.com, the Ryan White CARE act is “the nation’s largest discretionary investment in the care of people with HIV/AIDS. The Ryan White CARE Act funds primary health care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS who lack health insurance and financial resources for their care.”

Even Republican representative Jim Gibbons attended the event, hoping to “make this cause successful.”

Mayor Gino Martini was welcomed with great applause for returning to the Black and White Ball this year. Last year Martini proclaimed November as the Northern Nevada H.O.P.E.S. month. This year, Martini announced that October 7th would be Nevada Aids Foundation Day, a chance for all citizens to honor all individuals of northern Nevada with HIV.

The crowd was also entertained by the comedy styles of Miss Coco Peru; an uplifting act that brought smiles and chuckles during a heart felt time.

The event was fantastic without a doubt, bring hope and care to many who are in constant battle with this devastating disease. At only it’s second year being held in Northern Nevada, the Black and White ball has been proven successful with its important cause to one huge step closer at finding a cure for AIDS.