New Orleans gala supports those living with HIV/AIDS

By Melody Daniels

Contributing Writer

With one of the highest rates for new HIV/AIDS diagnoses among major American cities, New Orleans records disproportionate numbers of youth and Black and brown people living with HIV/AIDS, according to city health officials. Since 2022, 6,941 people were recorded living with HIV in New Orleans, with Black residents disproportionately included.

Project Lazarus, which was founded during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1985, continues to advocate, house and support individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and on May 8, will hold its Guardian Angel Awards and annual fundraiser to sustain this work at a time of depleting federal and state resources to reduce new infections.

“No one is going to go to their doctor’s appointment or invest in their personal health and take medication each day if they don’t have three healthy meals a day or a safe place to sleep at night,” said Ian Bicko, the executive director at Project Lazarus.

Not only do residents receive housing support, but the organization also offers home-cooked meals, medication management, case management, access to mental health and substance use counseling as well as transportation to medical appointments. With 24/7 assistance and individualized care plans, the program is designed to help residents stabilize their health and transition into permanent housing.

The annual fundraiser, which will be held at the JW Marriott New Orleans, beginning at 6 p.m. will allow supporters to fill funding gaps to support this work. Tickets to the fundraiser are $200, with the proceeds going to support residents with HIV/AIDS that the organization serves.

That same message of resilience is what Project Lazarus aims to amplify and sustain through its work year-round. The organization’s mission will take center stage at the 2026 Guardian Angel Awards Gala, serving as both a celebration of community impact and a source of funding for its programs. The black-tie fundraiser will bring together business leaders, advocates and supporters to honor individuals who have made lasting contributions to HIV/AIDS advocacy, organizers said.           

“The Guardian Angel Gala has been around for 30 years. It’s an opportunity for Project Lazarus to honor people who have been longtime supporters of the organization…not just financially, but those who have given their time and championed the mission,” Bicko said.

This year’s honorees include retired Project Lazarus board chair and branch manager Greg Domingue Sr., Judith Gomila of the Marianite Sister of Holy Cross, who is a retired board member for Project Lazarus, and Jeff Guillory, a retiree who has served as a Project Lazarus volunteer, each of whom are recognized for their longstanding commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.         

“We gather once a year to recognize them and fundraise for the mission. These are people whose impact extends beyond our work; they’re leaders in the community, and their presence is felt by so many,” Bicko said.

For many residents, that support can be life changing.

“Every day, I woke up wondering if today was the day I was going to die. And wondering where I was going to die. Because I couldn’t imagine a future,” said Michael, a resident who is featured on the organization’s website.

Struggling with addiction and inconsistent access to HIV medication, his health declined before he sought help. Over time, he said, the stability and access to care allowed him to begin rebuilding his life.

“The continuous kindness and having a place to live without worry made all the difference,” he said.

The project benefits from local students and volunteers who create a safe and supportive environment for Project Lazarus residents.

“They don’t feel like they are in a judgmental space,” said Tracey Adams, a Loyola University nursing student, in a statement. Another Loyola University student, Caroline Neumeyer, emphasized in a statement that the stigma of HIV/AIDS remains a major barrier: “People still need to be educated about HIV… there’s still a lot of negativity and stigma.”

Bicko, the executive director, who is a Pennsylvania native, shared that he has been living with HIV for eight years, and emphasized that the diagnosis does not define his future.

“Not just as director of Project Lazarus, but also as someone living with HIV, I think there’s still a lot of stigma both in healthcare and socially,” Bicko said. “I wish more people knew there are tools available to prevent transmission. The stigma can stop people from taking preventative measures, when in reality, HIV is both preventable and very treatable,” he said.

“I’m going to go on and live a long and healthy life. It’s not going to be the thing that determines my future,” Bicko added.

This article originally published in the April 27, 2026 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.