AID Groups Honor Venezuelans at NYC Gala

AID FOR AIDS and AID FOR LIFE marked three decades of humanitarian work at the 2026 My Hero Gala in New York City.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy

Wide, empty stone-and-glass civic hall lit by warm evening light through tall windows, with a pale circular ceiling fixture overhead. — AID FOR AIDS and AID FOR LIFE honored four Venezuelans at their 2026 My Hero Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, marking three decades of humanitarian work. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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AID FOR AIDS and AID FOR LIFE held the 2026 My Hero Gala at the American Museum of Natural History, themed "Dignity Across Borders," and honored four Venezuelans. More than 200 guests attended the event, which celebrated three decades of humanitarian impact.

Why it matters

The Gala highlights how HIV treatment access and immigrant integration are linked to broader health and social needs for vulnerable and displaced people. The organizations also plan new initiatives supporting Venezuela's earthquake recovery with legacy and new partners.

AID FOR AIDS, founded in 1996, has redistributed more than $220 million in HIV medications and helped more than 65,000 people across 75 countries stay on treatment. AID FOR LIFE, founded in 2016, has helped more than 40,000 newly arrived immigrants in New York City since 2022, and the timing of the planned Venezuela recovery work has not been specified.

The players

AID FOR AIDS

A nonprofit that redirects unused, unexpired HIV medications to people who lack access to treatment, founded in 1996.

AID FOR LIFE

A nonprofit founded in 2016 that supports migrants, displaced people and vulnerable families through health, social and economic services across 34 sites worldwide.

The details

The 2026 My Hero Gala was themed "Dignity Across Borders" and honored Edgar Ramírez, Nathalie Rayes, Maria Eugenia Maury, and Mary Ann Torres. AID FOR AIDS redirects unused, unexpired medications to people living with HIV who lack access to treatment, while AID FOR LIFE operates 34 service sites across countries including Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

1996: AID FOR AIDS was founded.
2016: AID FOR LIFE was founded.
2018: AID FOR AIDS became a leading antiretroviral provider in Venezuela.
2022: AID FOR LIFE began its New York City immigrant integration programs.
Summer 2026: Two earthquakes struck Venezuela.

Market Landscape

AID FOR AIDS emerged in response to the global HIV treatment crisis of the mid-1990s, and its medication redistribution work has continued for three decades. AID FOR LIFE's expansion reflects how that model has broadened toward the health and economic needs of migrants and displaced families.

Individuals who want to support the work can donate through the organizations, and AID FOR AIDS accepts unused, unexpired HIV medications for redistribution. Donors interested in the Venezuela earthquake recovery effort are being invited to participate in the planned initiatives.

The takeaway

Donating unused, unexpired medications or contributing to humanitarian groups can help extend HIV treatment to people who cannot afford it. Supporters interested in immigrant and earthquake-recovery work can look for the organizations' updates on their programs.