Elton John’s 15th annual “An Enduring Vision” benefit gala raised more than $3 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The event took place on Wednesday night at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City and was hosted by the pop-rock legend and his husband, David Furnish.
United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon, was honored with the foundation’s second Founder’s Award. This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the global fight against AIDS. Philanthropist and entrepreneur, Frank Giustra, and New York Giants executive and Oscar-winning producer, Steve Tisch, were also presented the Enduring Vision Awards for their outstanding support.
ABC Radio News reported that the gala also featured a performance by jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall and a speech by Emmy-winning Jeffrey Tambour.
“To truly end AIDS, we must provide more funding for syringe access, more funding for community organizing, more funding to change hearts and minds and more funding to change unjust laws and policies,” John said. “That’s a tall order, but with your help, we can do it, and we must succeed if we want to see the end of AIDS in our lifetime.”
A live auction was held during the event that displayed a variety of items including a piece of artwork created by Bernie Taupin, John’s lyricist.
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