Whilst the world strives to reduce the HIV/AIDS pandemic we find that many of the worlds celebrities are using their media prowess to help raise awareness and action for this terrible disease.
We are sure that there are many celebrities that we will not cover who have supported the HIV cause, however we decided not to list those who 'just turn up' for a HIV/AIDS event as having supported the cause. Moreover i believe that those celebrities who do just that are using the event only to promote their own agenda and not help the charity that the event was for. But like i said that is my own opinion!
What should be noted before i list some of the celebrities who have helped the HIV/AIDS cause is that many of these actors/celebrities have raised millions of dollars for various charities and still continue to do so on a daily basis. To those that do we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Here is a snapshot of some of the celebrities that have helped the HIV/AIDS cause:
Whoopi Goldberg:
Whoopi has served on the Advisory Committee for FilmAid International.
The comedienne has channeled her celebrity into bringing attention to countless causes including AIDS, children’s issues, healthcare and substance abuse.
“I fear waking up one morning and finding out that my life was for nothing. We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.”
Juanes:
On July 26, 2012, Latin superstar and multiple Grammy-award winning musician Juanes headlined the “Beat Goes On” concert at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. The Latino sensation agreed to headline the concert presented by Lifebeat during the International AIDS Conference to urge political leaders to step up the fight against the disease. Juanes also stated that HIV-positive people “are stigmatized, rejected by society and I think this is the moment to change the understanding of AIDS and how it should be treated and prevented.”
Sharon Stone:
Sharon Stone has twice served as host and auctioneer at amfAR’s Two by Two for AIDS and Art auction in Dallas, helping to raise nearly $2 million for AIDS research. In May 2000, she participated in an art auction for Phillips Auction House that raised $1.2 million, and in August 2000, Ms. Stone served as host and auctioneer at Cinema Against AIDS Venice at the Venice Film Festival, where she helped raise over $500,000 and launched a special line of vanity cases she personally designed for the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Sales of these exceptional cases have generated nearly $3 million for amfAR.
Matt Damon:
Matt Damon supports the ONE Campaign, which is aimed at fighting AIDS and poverty in Third World countries. He is also an ambassador for ONEXONE, a non-profit foundation committed to supporting, preserving and improving the lives of children at home in Canada, the United States, and around the world. He has twice hosted the ONEXONE Awards.
George Clooney:
George Clooney has done numerous charity works for a variety of causes including stomping out hunger, finding cures for AIDS, cancer and other health problems. He also supports causes that fight for the rights of refugees, women and peace.
Sarah Jessica Parker:
Sarah Jessica most recently was the signator for the 2011 Mother’s Day e-Appeal encouraging people to purchase UNICEF’s HIV Test Kit, which will give a baby the chance at life he or she deserves, by helping their mother take the first step toward restoring her own health and guaranteeing the health of her child.
Dayana Mendoza:
Mendoza was a contestant on the 2012 season of Celebrity Apprentice. In Episode 3, "How Much is That Celebrity in the Window?", she was the winning project manager of her team on a task to create two themed living window displays for Ivanka Trump's clothing and accessory line, winning $20,000 for her charity, the Latino Commission on AIDS. She was also Miss Venezuela and Miss Universe.
Doutzen Kroes:
As part of their ongoing support of philanthropic programs, A|X Armani Exchange has partnered with dance4life and their current ambassador – supermodel Doutzen Kroes – to design an exclusive dance4life t-shirt to benefit the dance4life organization.
The importance of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention through education has never been more vital and necessary, both on a national and global level. Young people are our future and dance4life, through its programs, involves them, strengthens their voice and empowers them to take action to push back HIV and AIDS.
Elton John:
Sir Elton John has seen many of his close friends die from HIV/AIDS over the years, and established the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in 1992 to try to stem the destruction the disease causes around the world.
Every year the 61-year-old legend opens his house to hundreds of celebrities and invited guests for a themed “White Tie and Tiara” ball to raise money for the foundation, and also holds post-Grammy and -Oscar parties as fundraisers.
Magic Johnson:
Magic Johnson started his Magic Johnson Foundation in 1991 as a single-disease organization that worked to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs.
Ellen DeGeneres:
Television host Ellen DeGeneres supports numerous organizations, and has won many awards for her charitable efforts.
Ellen DeGeneres has been named a special AIDS envoy for the Obama administration.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Tuesday that DeGeneres has been chosen to promote a new HIV/AIDS awareness campaign around the world.
Alicia Keys:
Alicia Keys is the ambassador for Keep A Child Alive, and has travelled to countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. While she was there she spoke to teens and young adults who’ve lost their parents to AIDS and are now the heads of their own households. “We must come together – individuals, governments, corporations, philanthropists and artists – as one and fight for the rights of children and families suffering unnecessarily from this dreadful disease,” she told guests at the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto in 2006. "We must never give up until AIDS treatment and realistic prevention messages go hand in hand across the world; until we realize that keeping mothers alive is critical to the well being of the world’s children; and until we can stand together and say, “We did not sit idly by and watch an entire continent perish.”
Bono:
Bono has been a leader in the fight against poverty, and has helped to create the ONE Campaign, DATA, (RED) and EDUN, a clothing company which is striving to stimulate trade with poverty stricken countries.
He was on Forbes’ Generous Celebrity List for his work with Debt AIDS Trade Africa (DATA) against the spread of AIDS and for debt relief in Africa, participation in fundraising concerts like Live 8, and his donation of $50,000 to One in Four Ireland, a charity that helps survivors of sexual abuse.
Bill Gates:
At a bridal lunch the day before his wedding to Melinda, Gates’ mother Mary read a letter to the couple saying, in effect, “From those who are given great resources, great things are expected.”
With further encouragement from their friend the investor Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda established a charitable foundation that has grown to be among the largest of its kind.
In 2006 the Microsoft founder announced that in 2008 he would dramatically reduce his involvement in the running of the company in order to concentrate his efforts more fully on the Foundation.
Charlize Theron:
Charlize is the founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.
The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) was created in 2007 by actress and UN Messenger of Peace, Charlize Theron, in collaboration with the Entertainment Industry Foundation. CTAOP helps keep African youth safe from HIV/AIDS by supporting community-engaged organizations that address the key drivers of the disease.
Keri Hilson:
Keri has just become the celebrity ambassador of the first-ever MTV Staying Alive Foundation team that participated in AIDS Walk New York -- a 10K, and the East coast’s first (as well as the world’s largest) AIDS fundraising event that aims to raise money and awareness. Keri Hilson has also lent her face to the very worthy H&M Fashion Against Aids Collection.
Annie Lennox:
Earlier this year the 53-year-old Lennox released a special fundraising single called Sing, which featured a 23-member choir of female celebrities, including Madonna, Faith Hill, Pink, and many more. Proceeds from the single went to the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), an organization that that provides much needed support in the continent’s struggle against the deadly virus.
Lennox believes everybody can do something to help those affected by AIDS in Africa. She is especially supportive of what she calls “Laptop Activism”, and runs many of her charity initiatives through the internet.
The singer also recently took part in Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in London, where she urged people to join in the struggle to help the 15 million children orphaned by the disease in Africa.
“One third of pregnant women in South Africa are HIV positive,” Lennox told CNN. “We can prevent their children being born with the virus if we let the women have access to treatment. If you do not allow that to happen, you’re going to have future generations simply being wiped out.”
Alan Cumming:
Alan Cumming is an Honorary Board member for Until There's a Cure, which is a funding innovative program that promote AIDS awareness and prevention education for our generation of young Americans.
Providing financial support for care and services for those living with AIDS.
Actively supporting AIDS vaccine development which offers the best hope for reducing the spread of HIV.
Cristina Saralegui:
Cristina is highly active in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and has created the Up With Life Foundation to support this cause.
Saralegui, known for being a great conversationalist, asked to host a television talk show for the Univision Network. The Cristina Show debuted in 1989 with Saralegui as host and executive producer. A trailblazer in the media field, she has used her program to tackle controversial topics as well as to provide information on personal and health subjects often avoided in Latino communities, such as domestic violence and AIDS. Saralegui and the show have received 11 Emmy Awards. Not only critically acclaimed, the program earns strong ratings and is seen by estimated 100 million people in Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
As dedicated she is to her work, Saralegui is equally committed to her charitable efforts. She and her husband created the Arriba la Vida/Up with Life Foundation to promote AIDS education in the Latino community and to help other AIDS-related causes. She also serves on the National Council of the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Madonna:
Madonna and Michael Berg founded Raising Malawi to bring an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's 2000000 orphans.
Madonna has also supported AMFAR, UNICEF, Bid 2 Beat AIDS and many more.
Richard Gere:
Richard hosted the 1992 World AIDS Day event at the United Nations.
Gere co-founded Heroes Project for developing co-ordinated campaigns to address the spread of HIV/AIDS, and reduce stigma and discrimination by educating the public and advocating for change in policies in India.
He has received important awards from the Harvard AIDS Institute, American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), Amnesty International, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award.
Salma Hayek:
Salma become active with amFAR in 2005. She attended the Cinema Against AIDS' Gala on May 19 at the Cannes Film Festival. Later in 2008 Salma became a co-chairs and took part in an auction suppoting amFAR. The auction was part of the Dubai International Film Festival, with all proceeds going to the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). Some of the rare and exclusive lots included a Cartier ‘Salma Hayek’ Love Handcuff – customized especially for Cinema Against Aids Dubai – as well as other limited edition items. The one-of-a-kind Cartier Love Handcuff engraved with her autograph went for $80,000, also a walk-on role on the television show Ugly Betty that sold for $35,000. The second annual Cinema Against AIDS gala in Dubai raised $1.8 million that night.
AmfAR’s annual Cinema Against AIDS galas have generated nearly $44 million since 1993 for AIDS research. Thirty three million people live with AIDS worldwide.
Heidi Klum:
Heidi is a supporter of UNICEF, skin cancer charity IMCG (for which she modeled a t-shirt), and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which aims to prevent infants from contracting AIDS from their mothers and discover treatments for other life-threatening pediatric illnesses.
Along with these she has also supported the Elton john AIDS Foundation.
Stephen Fry:
28 January 2011 Stephan was awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Sussex for his work campaigning for people suffering from mental health problems, bipolar disorder and HIV.
In 2007 he presented a documentary on the subject of HIV and AIDS, HIV and Me.
Lady Gaga:
“We want women to feel strong and feel strong enough that they can remember to protect themselves. To have this lipstick as a reminder in your purse, that when your man is laying naked in bed, you go into the bathroom, you put your lipstick on, and you bring a condom out with you…There are no exceptions.” – Lady Gaga, VIVA Glam campaign against AIDS and HIV.
Two-time Grammy winner, songwriter, musician, and fashion artist, Lady Gaga is a creative “win-win” philanthropist, who throws the weight of her popularity behind donation projects.
Jessica Alba:
Jessica Alba's charity work includes participation with Clothes Off Our Back, Habitat for Humanity, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Project HOME, RADD, Revlon Run/Walk for Women, SOS Children Villages, Soles4Souls, and Step up. Alba openly endorsed and supported Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama during the 2008 primary season. Alba is an ambassador for the 1Goal movement to provide education to children in Africa.
Jenny McCarthy:
Author, Model, Comedienne, Actress, and Autism Activist, Jenny McCarthy gets to the truth and is not afraid to say it how it is. She encourages everyone to wear the bracelet from Until There's a Cure, a national organization dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and funds to combat this pandemic. But nothing brings the fight closer to home than the issue of autism activism and her son Evan, who was diagnosed with autism in 2005.
Miley Cyrus:
Miley Cyrus, otherwise known as Hannah Montana, seems to have wasted no time in her rise to fame, riches and charitable causes. Her youthful enthusiasm for contributing to the well-being of others has found a variety of outlets.
Cyrus supports the Libby Ross Foundation, and recently decorated a yoga bag for an auction to raise funds for the charity’s yoga program. The foundation promotes early detection of breast cancer, as well as research to eradicate the disease and support programs for victims.
A little off the beaten path, she is also involved with Musicians on Call, a charity that brings live and recorded music to the besides of patients to promote the healing process. She agreed to perform at a concert benefiting this organization, joining Jordin Sparks and Gavin DeGraw. And, for every Hannah Montana concert ticket sold, Cyrus reportedly donates $1 to the City of Hope, a biomedical research, treatment and educational institution dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer.
She has done vast amounts of HIV charity work for such organizations as the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Nelson Mandela:
In 2003 the Nelson Mandela Foundation established the 46664 Foundation, a health charity. The 46664 Foundation is a wholly owned non-profit subsidiary of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Its objective is to raise awareness and provide HIV education through entertainment.
Mandela’s charities use the universal connecting power of music, sport, entertainment and celebrity to educate, engage and empower those affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty, oppression and inequality. The charities draw upon an extensive global network of celebrities and high profile personalities to speak out and raise awareness in any way they can. Visual design is also used heavily as nearly all the charities are online. Powerful images are used to show the suffering of a lot of people in Africa. The biggest way to measure the success of his work can be seen in the happy faces of the children supported by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
Nelson Mandela’s image is portrayed as that of a man willing to put others first and a man who wants to see an end to all suffering be it through disease, hunger or illiteracy. Mandela shows that as he was imprisoned for more than a quarter of a century fighting for the oppressed, he is now dedicating the rest of his life to making the lives of the less fortunate more bearable. The image of Mandela the politician has been replaced by that of a man tireless in the fight against poverty, illiteracy and HIV/AIDS. Mandela has taken a backseat from politics and is rarely seen using his name for politics and given his name to charities that are close to his heart. The collaboration with A-list celebrities and world leaders to raise awareness on issues of global suffering has worked particularly well especially with HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, these targeted the youth and celebrities were the best to deliver the message as they are very appealing to today’s youth. Global leaders have also made it easier to get funds flowing into the charities supported by the Mandela Foundation. Global leaders have used their extensive network of wealthy organisations and individuals to push the message of the foundation across, as a result the nelson mandela foundation has raised millions of dollars and distributed it amongst the large network of charities it supports.
Bill Clinton:
The William J. Clinton Foundation was set up to promote and provide for a number of humanitarian causes. Within the foundation, the Clinton Foundation HIV and AIDS Initiative works to make treatment for HIV/AIDS more affordable and to implement large-scale integrated care, treatment, and prevention programs.
The Clinton Global Initiative, funded by the Clinton Foundation, was established in New York City to coincide with the 2005 World Summit. The focus areas of the initiative include attempts to address world problems such as global public health, poverty alleviation, and religious and ethnic conflict.
The Clinton Foundation Climate Change Initiative, provides resources to allow participating cities to enter into an energy-saving product purchasing consortium and to provide technical and communications support.
George Michael:
George Michael supports the N Worcestershire Bereavement Trust, and has in the past supported the Nottinghamshire Bereavement Trust.
George supports many organisations which help people suffering from HIV/AIDS, including London Lighthouse and Healing Circle Holistic.
Founded the Goss-Michael Foundation to promote creative arts in Dallas.
These are just a sample of the various celebrities that do so much good work for the HIV/AIDS cause. Through them the various charities they have supported have been able to continue to do the vastly important work they do on a daily basis. We hope that many more celebrities will join with these to promote the HIV/AIDS pandemic and bring in more funds that are greatly required for the charities to continue to support those with HIV/AIDS.