WILMINGTON — Delaware HIV Consortium announces the 2023 recipients of its Red Ribbon Awards to be presented at the 18th Annual WOW Awards Celebration on at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21 at the Hockessin Memorial Hall.

The keynote speaker is Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, and the theme is “There’s no place like home.” Music will be performed by singer/songwriter Bobby Lee Jones and the celebration will include a silent auction.

To purchase tickets, call 302-288-0367 or online at www.delawarehiv.org.

The WOW Awards honors individuals, corporations, and organizations for excellence in community leadership, service, volunteerism, and philanthropy in the field of HIV throughout Delaware.

An inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Arlene Bincsik, RN, MS, CCRC, ACRN, director (retired), Christiana Care William J. Holloway Community Program. It is awarded to an individual whose career-long efforts measurably and unarguably moved Delaware towards ending its HIV epidemic.

2023 awardees are:

• Statesman Award – Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN, FAAN, Delaware Lieutenant Governor. Awarded to an elected official in Delaware who, through their longtime efforts and actions, has helped lead the fight against the HIV epidemic in Delaware.
• Leadership Award – James E. Dowling, MPA, HIV Prevention Program Administrator, Delaware Division of Public Health. Awarded to an individual or company that has taken the lead in building community and philanthropic development in Delaware.
• Visionary Award — John Barnes, executive director (retired), Funders Concerned About AIDS. Awarded to an individual who, through their efforts, has paved the way for new ideas in preventing the spread of HIV.
• Ryan White Award – Leslie Hayes, BSN, RN, ACRN, HIV Primary Care Nurse, ChristianaCare William J. Holloway Community Program. Awarded to an individual in the medical profession dedicated to the health and well-being of people living with HIV disease.
• Ally Award — Gloria Dixon, Senior Office Assistant, ChristianaCare William J. Holloway Community Program. Awarded to an individual or company who, through their collaborative efforts, has made a significant contribution to the HIV Community.