White House Reception: A Day to Remember

Randy Allgaier with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Washington, D.C.--Shanti staff member Randy Allgaier shares his experiences from the unveiling of the nation's first National HIV/AIDS Strategy:

What can I say. I was honored, humbled and awestruck by my experience yesterday. It isn’t every day that you get to go to an event at the White House – let alone two- a press event to unveil the first ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy followed by a reception honoring the work of the HIV/AIDS community. And it certainly isn’t every day that you get the meet the President of the United States (even for 30 seconds) and have a five minute chat with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. To be able to share this with so many colleagues that I respect and love was icing on the cake. And while Lee, my sister and many good friends couldn’t join me, they joined me via the White House live stream and saw me too!
Like all White House events like this- it was not announced until about a week and a half ago. Since I had just been in DC, I wasn’t keen on going back just a week later, but heck it was an invitation from the White House. I did it on a bare bones budget because I couldn’t afford anything else and there were few flights and fewer affordable hotels. But even that had its own positive synergy. I took Southwest and had layovers in Las Vegas--- I’m not a fan of Southwest, layovers or Las Vegas but on the second leg- there was a colleague from LA that was on the flight that I haven’t seen in ages (also on her way to the event) and we chatted the whole way to DC. Once I got there- my hotel was in a horrible neighborhood and smack dab next to the train tracks that go to Union Station. I was experiencing some pain due to the mass that is the home of my anal cancer---- and I was just miserable. On Tuesday AM, I woke up still feeling like I was staying in some wasteland and I wasn’t even sure how easy a cab could be hailed. My friend Michael from FL, who had already planned on staying with me for the second night showed up with lunch, water, a smile, and the necessities I needed from the pharmacy and was like light entering into the darkness. I stopped wallowing about the accommodations and my physical discomfort and began to allow myself the pleasure of recognizing what an amazing day was ahead.
The first event at 2 PM was the release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. My friend Jeff Crowley, the Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy was joined by Melody Barnes- the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Howard Koh and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius at the event. It was exciting to see, after 30 years, the first National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States unveiled. The event ended at 3 and the reception started at 5--- leaving 2 hours to kill. DC was like a sauna – all you needed to do was step outside and you would be soaked with sweat- so what to do?
A number of close colleagues/friends walked over to the W Hotel- right near the White House- to have cocktails, water and get refreshed. About 4:30 we walked the 2 minutes to the White House gate for the reception. After the third security check point, the enormity of the event kicked in. Finally inside. Just walking around, schmoozing, networking, catching up with friends from all over the country- but at the White House. The hors d’ouerves, wine and cocktails were wonderful- eating them in the State Dining Room and in the East Room was magic.
After about an hour or so- the moment. The President entered and spoke about the AIDS strategy, healthcare and for the first time in American history- had people from the HIV/AIDS community being honored by the President of the United States.

We lingered and had more food, drink and socializing and on the way out, I was able to chat with Secretary Sebelius for a few minutes- talking about HIV and Aging and long term issues associated with HIV- like my current diagnosis of anal cancer.
After leaving the White House a few of us went to dinner to extend the magic. While at dinner, fierce thunderstorms came through. Michael, a friend of Michael’s who also needed a place to stay and I went back to the hotel from hell and got ready for bed when we got a call from another friend who was stranded. So he joined us. Hotel Hell turned into Hotel Savior! It seemed to be part of the magic of the evening.
I got up this morning at 4:15 AM ET to catch a 7:30 AM flight out of Dulles. My flights today were uneventful and even got me home early and needless to say, I am exhausted but still high from this once in a lifetime experience.