Elton John and Brandi Carlile Unite to Raise $1 Million to Offset Trump Cuts in HIV/AIDS Relief Funding
The Elton John AIDS Foundation and Brandi Carlile's Looking Out Foundation announced an initiative — the 'Who Believes In Angels?' Campaign — to offset recent cuts to HIV/AIDS relief funding by the Trump Administration.
'Without prompt action, decades of progress in the global fight against HIV could be reversed, creating a global health crisis that we have both the power and the tools to prevent,' said Elton John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. 'Our mission is more important than ever – we refuse to leave anyone behind – and I'm so fortunate that Brandi is not only a wonderful collaborator and artist, but a dear friend who shares my vision of a world where HIV care is prioritized and protected.'
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The partnership, named after the recent collaborative album by the two artists, unites their foundatins and communities to raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation's work and its Rocket Response Fund. This emergency initiative will help Elton John AIDS Foundation's partners maintain essential services following significant cuts in funding due to the termination of USAID support. The Rocket Response Fund will direct resources to reopen clinics, restore access to essential medications, and maintain prevention services, according to the announcement.
Donations to the campaign can be made here via the Looking Out Foundation.
International funding has been critical to reducing new HIV transmissions and deaths worldwide. However, many countries in addition to the U.S. are now considering cuts to aid. Recent projections from The Lancet HIV, based on data from 26 countries, estimate that up to 10.8 million additional HIV cases and 2.9 million HIV-related deaths could occur by 2030 if international support declines.
'It was a lifelong dream come true for me to come together with my hero and friend Elton John to make our album 'Who Believes in Angels?,' and now, we're excited to announce that our foundations are also partnering to make our music mean even more,' said Carlile, founder of the Looking Out Foundation. 'Elton's activism and work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation was what led me to Elton before I even heard a note of his music. It's an incredible honor to launch this partnership and raise funds for the life-saving work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Rocket Response Fund at a time when support is needed the most.'
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