Elton John continues his fight against AIDS
- 13 years ago
Sir Elton John and David Furnish continue their efforts to raise awareness and money for AIDS.
The pair hosted their tenth annual "An Enduring Vision" benefit in New York to honor those who are helping with the fight.
The English singer and his husband founded the organization, with three main goals.
First, to support new HIV prevention programs, next, to eliminate stigma and discrimination and finally to create support services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
SOUNDBITE: Sir Elton John, singer, saying (English):
"This is a chance to embrace our New York supporters who are very loyal every year and spend an evening with them and congratulate them. And we give honorary prizes every year, honorary awards to people who've helped us so much over the year. To honor people that have been with us for a long time and have made such a difference."
In 1993 Sir Elton opened a UK branch of the charity.
Together, the organizations have raised over $220 million (USD) since commencement.
On the red carpet, John said he is most proud of the charities financial footing.
SOUNDBITE: Sir Elton John, singer, saying (English):
"Ninety-six percent of what we raise gets out there - every event we do like this is underwritten, so everybody who buys a ticket and spends money here, their money goes straight to people who need it. That was my brief when I started it - I didn't want to waste money, we don't."
Fellow Brit, Sarah Ferguson, said the night was more than important, it was about her commitment to Elton and David and their cause.
SOUNDBITE: Sarah Ferguson, duchess of York, saying (English):
"The fact that they do all this work to continue the awareness of AIDS must not be forgotten. I think everybody thinks, 'oh that was then, and this is now,' no, we've got to continue to do it, so it's incredible."
Singer Smokey Robinson put his legendary voice to good use by performing some of his greatest hits for attendees.
SOUNDBITE: Smokey Robinson, singer, saying (English):
"Elton is my good friend, I've known him for a long, long time. And he's of course a great talent and what he's doing to try and stamp out AIDS is one of the most needed foundations in our lifetime. Because AIDS is the plague of our lifetime."
Money raised from the event will benefit community-based projects in the Americas and the Caribbean.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.
The pair hosted their tenth annual "An Enduring Vision" benefit in New York to honor those who are helping with the fight.
The English singer and his husband founded the organization, with three main goals.
First, to support new HIV prevention programs, next, to eliminate stigma and discrimination and finally to create support services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
SOUNDBITE: Sir Elton John, singer, saying (English):
"This is a chance to embrace our New York supporters who are very loyal every year and spend an evening with them and congratulate them. And we give honorary prizes every year, honorary awards to people who've helped us so much over the year. To honor people that have been with us for a long time and have made such a difference."
In 1993 Sir Elton opened a UK branch of the charity.
Together, the organizations have raised over $220 million (USD) since commencement.
On the red carpet, John said he is most proud of the charities financial footing.
SOUNDBITE: Sir Elton John, singer, saying (English):
"Ninety-six percent of what we raise gets out there - every event we do like this is underwritten, so everybody who buys a ticket and spends money here, their money goes straight to people who need it. That was my brief when I started it - I didn't want to waste money, we don't."
Fellow Brit, Sarah Ferguson, said the night was more than important, it was about her commitment to Elton and David and their cause.
SOUNDBITE: Sarah Ferguson, duchess of York, saying (English):
"The fact that they do all this work to continue the awareness of AIDS must not be forgotten. I think everybody thinks, 'oh that was then, and this is now,' no, we've got to continue to do it, so it's incredible."
Singer Smokey Robinson put his legendary voice to good use by performing some of his greatest hits for attendees.
SOUNDBITE: Smokey Robinson, singer, saying (English):
"Elton is my good friend, I've known him for a long, long time. And he's of course a great talent and what he's doing to try and stamp out AIDS is one of the most needed foundations in our lifetime. Because AIDS is the plague of our lifetime."
Money raised from the event will benefit community-based projects in the Americas and the Caribbean.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.