amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, Asks America to "Sing for AIDS"

Mike Halterman READ TIME: 2 MIN.

Grammy-nominated actor, singer, and songwriter Cheyenne Jackson, who can currently be seen on FX's "American Horror Story: Hotel" is the first of many celebrities to participate in amfAR's #SingForAIDS social campaign. Please check out his rendition of "That's What Friends Are For" on Twitter at twitter.com/amfar. In honor of the 40 million lives lost and the countless lives impacted by HIV/AIDS, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is reigniting the fight to end the epidemic with a rally cry.

amfAR is asking the world to contribute to the cure by singing and uploading brief covers of the song "That's What Friends Are For" on social media using the hashtag: #SingForAIDS. This December marks 30 years since the epidemic began and 30 years since the song topped Billboard's charts at #1. Originally performed by Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight, the song exemplifies the importance of friendships and support from loved ones when going through personal moments and milestones. amfAR could not have achieved the milestones in this battle without its friends.

Until December 1st, amfAR's celebrities and supporters will be participating in the #SingForAIDS social campaign. amfAR hopes that you'll help them get one step closer to a cure by participating in the campaign and/or issuing a social media post.

The late Elizabeth Taylor once said of that iconic song, "That song belongs to all of us. Us who are in the fight against the dreaded disease called AIDS."

#SingForAIDS is a small part of amfAR's Countdown to a Cure for AIDS. Countdown to a Cure is a research initiative aimed at developing the scientific basis for a cure by 2020. Launched in February 2014, the Countdown is designed to intensify amfAR's cure-focused HIV research program through strategic investments of $100 million over the next five years.

There has never been a more optimistic time in the world of HIV/AIDS research. The case of the Berlin Patient, first reported in 2008, was a watershed moment and a proof of principle that a cure was possible. This and other breakthroughs over the last several years have brought the scientific community a new understanding of the challenges that must be overcome to get to a cure. And there is growing confidence that, with the right investments, these challenges can be overcome.

For more information, visit amfar.org


by Mike Halterman

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