Sir Elton John on His Charitable Services Against AIDS
Sir Elton Hercules John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, has not only been recognized by the world as one of the greatest English singer/songwriter, composer, and pianist. Elton John has also been knighted Queen Elizabeth II for his music and charitable services. This man behind by the song ‘Candle in The Wind’ in 1997, which is a song attributed to the late Diana, Princes of Wales, has sold more than 33 million copies worldwide. In his forty years career, he has already sold over 250 million records. This made him one of the most successful artists of all time.
Having revealed to the world his homosexuality, he has joined Cyndi Lauper in her campaign, ‘Give a Damn Campaign’, to bring a wide awareness to stop the discrimination against the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered) community. Elton John has also been associated with charities on AIDS. He began his active involvements in AIDS charities after the death of his friends Ryan White and Freddy Mercury. He has raised large amounts of money and he has used his talents to increase the awareness on the disease. In 1986, Elton John has worked together with Stevie Wonder, Dione Warwick, and Gladys Knight on the single ‘That’s What Friends Are For’. All the profits from the single were donated to the American Foundation of AIDS Research.
In 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has been established in the U.S. Elton John has also established the same foundation in the United Kingdom as a charity fund to AIDS/HIV prevention and to provide services to people suffering from AIDS. Elton John’s two organizations have already raised more than $220 million since it was first established. The money has supported projects in about 50 countries around the world. The EJAF in the US provides grants on the Americas and the Caribbean while the EJAF in UK provides grants in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Elton John annually hosts the Whie Tie & Tiara Ball to raise funds. The Elton John tickets for the ball costs £1,000 per head. The 9th White Tie & Tiara Ball in 2006 has raised £4.6 million for the AIDS foundation.
Recently, Elton John has joined with Sen. Bill Nielsen to fight the cuts on the AIDS support program. Sen. Nielsen is the senior senator from Florida, which is one of the states that have been hit by AIDS the hardest. Senator Nielsen and Sir Elton John have been urging the congress to approve President Barack Obama’s request of a $940 million increase on the medication funding for the next year. They also added, “This isn’t a partisan issue. As President George W. Bush noted in 2008, it’s a question of our moral interest.”
