On Saturday, March 25, supporters of DAP Health came together under the stars for the 29th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards (The Chase) held in Palm Springs, California. Hosted by actor Michael Urie, the event raised more than $1.4 million for the health care organization, which serves more than 10,000 individuals annually in the Coachella Valley.
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The benefit featured musical performances by Nick Adams (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; Falsettos) and Tony nominee Saycon Sengbloh (Eclipsed). The evening’s headliner was Emmy- and Golden Globe–winning actor and musician Darren Criss.
Led by CEO David Brinkman, DAP Health provides a range of services catering to individuals’ physical and mental health needs, as attested to from the stage by DAP clients Damian Calmet and Marcela Quintanilla, who shared heartwarming personal stories about the impact of DAP’s work on their lives.
The annual benefit is named after the late interior designer and philanthropist Steve Chase, in recognition of his contributions to DAP as a donor, board member and volunteer. The awards recognize notable individuals who work toward the betterment of humanity and health care.
Fashion icon and philanthropist Donna Karan received the DAP Health Equity Award. Karan has a long history of caring for others. In 1990, after seeing her friend and fellow fashion designer Perry Ellis’s health decline, she helped the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue magazine launch 7th on Sale, an annual fundraiser that brought fashion designers together to benefit the NYC AIDS Fund. In 20077, she established Urban Zen, a foundation dedicated to three initiatives: the preservation of culture (past); bringing mind, body and spirit to health care (present); and education (future). Its mission is to raise awareness and inspire change.
Fashion icon and philanthropist Donna Karan receives the DAP Health Equity Award at the 29th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian AwardsPOZ/Jennifer Morton
U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz presented the DAP Health Humanitarian Award to Conrado E. Bárzaga, MD, the CEO of Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, as well as to the organization’s board of directors. The local government agency aims to help Coachella Valley residents access vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral health care, and has awarded $92.7 million in grants since 1998.
DAP Health was founded in 1984 by a group of community volunteers who came together to combat the growing AIDS crisis. In 2012, the organization expanded its scope to care for all people—including underserved communities. DAP Health recently won the bid to acquire the assets of Borrego Health, a federally qualified health center with clinics located in Riverside and San Diego counties. This acquisition means even more residents in the region will have access to DAP Health’s compassionate, comprehensive and quality health care.
And that’s how you put the care back into health care.
To learn more about the work of DAP Health, visit daphealth.org.
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