Hilo Man Being Honored for Contribution to HIV/AIDS Prevention & Treatment in Hawaii

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) STD/AIDS Prevention Branch is pleased to announce that the 9th Annual Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award will be presented to Lenard Allen of Hilo, Hawai‘i.

The award will be presented at the World AIDS Day event on O‘ahu to be held from 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Church of the Crossroads (1212 University Ave.). Allen is being honored for his tremendous contributions to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in Hawai‘i.

“Mr. Allen has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty to develop and implement activities to support the HIV community in Hawai‘i,” said Health Director Loretta Fuddy. “His unwavering commitment to give of himself to individuals and organizations in need makes him a most deserving recipient of the 9th Annual Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award.”

Monica Adams M.A., M.B.A., Director of Development for the Bay Clinic Family Health Centers said of Lenard Allen: “His work has profoundly changed the environment for HIV/AIDS care, perceptions, and services in East Hawai‘i. There are some people in this world who do tremendous things, who work tirelessly for a cause, and who do it without recognition and fame. Lenard is one of these people.”

For 20 years, Allen has been actively involved in HIV client services, care, prevention, community education, advocacy, and fundraising. Allen has worked in HIV/AIDS services at the Big Island AIDS Project, Hawai‘i Island HIV/AIDS Foundation, and Bay Clinic, Inc. His considerable efforts have focused on all persons living with HIV and those at risk for acquiring HIV. Allen also founded OUTSPOKEN, which served as a community fundraiser to fill in service gaps for people living with HIV. He developed a free counseling program and phone support for individuals living with HIV. He worked with the Big Island Aloha Patrol for four years as a liaison and advocate between business owners, community, and the County of Hawai‘i Judiciary to provide referrals to services, testing, healthcare and education.

Suzanne Richmond-Crum passed away in August 2004 after serving as director of the Hawai‘i Seropositivity and Medical Management Program (HSPAMM) of the DOH STD/AIDS Prevention Branch for more than 10 years. The award was established in honor of the competence and compassion she demonstrated in her HIV/AIDS work, and is presented annually to an individual in Hawai‘i for their outstanding contribution in providing HIV/AIDS services.

The public is invited to attend the award presentation at the 2012 World AIDS Day program on Saturday, Dec.1, at the Church of the Crossroads, as well as many other activities occurring statewide. For more information on all statewide World AIDS Day events, go to: http://www.worldaidsdayhawaii.org