Elton John vows ‘we will not leave anyone behind’ as his AIDS foundation launches $1m emergency coronavirus fund
Elton John announcing the emergency coronavirus fund (Twitter/@eltonofficial)
Sir Elton John has stepped up once again in the battle against coronavirus by launching a $1m emergency fund for HIV patients during the pandemic.
With HIV care becoming more complicated in the face of COVID-19, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has pledged £815,000 ($1million) towards HIV medicines, testing and preventive treatment in marginalised communities.
Sir Elton said the fund would ensure the foundation’s frontline partners can properly respond to the effects of COVID-19 and protect those living with HIV.
“For almost 30 years, my foundation has prioritised the most vulnerable people to HIV to end the AIDS epidemic, and we’re committed to this during the COVID-19 crisis too,” the 73-year-old British pop legend announced in a video shared on social media.
“Distributing medicines, testing and preventive treatment is not as simple as it was a few weeks ago,” he explained.
“So our new COVID-19 emergency fund will help frontline partners to prepare for and respond to the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalised communities.
“We must keep up momentum otherwise the effects could be disastrous for people living with HIV and other infectious diseases,” he added.
“We are with you, we are thinking of you, and we will not leave anyone behind.”
Today, I’m proud to announce that my Foundation @EJAF is launching a $1million COVID-19 Emergency Fund to make sure that our frontline partners can respond to the effects of COVID-19 on HIV care for the most marginalised communities around the world. pic.twitter.com/g4wh9dnd3d
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) April 4, 2020
Now and always, I’m committed to not leave anyone affected by HIV behind. Visit https://t.co/tClQt78OuF for more info. Sending love to all of our Foundation’s partners, grantees, supporters, frontline workers and members of our community during this time. Elton x
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) April 4, 2020
The ‘Rocketman’ singer has thrown himself into the coronavirus relief effort, last week hosting a star-studded charity concert from his LA home.
The iHeart Living Room Concert for America brought together some of the biggest names in music, with at-home performances from Billie Eilish, the Backstreet Boys, Alicia Keys, Shawn Mendes, Lizzo, Camila Cabello, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato and Mariah Carey.
All proceeds went to two US charities working towards the coronavirus relief effort.
