BC/EFA Salutes Fundraising Partnership with THE LION KING

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS announced today that the organization has surpassed a cumulative total of $3 million in grants to South African HIV/AIDS organizations through the tireless fundraising efforts of Disney's The Lion King.

Since The Lion King first began fundraising for BC/EFA in 1997, the Broadway and national touring productions of the show have raised more than $5.5 million with $3,031,000 going to South Africa. An additional $2.5 million has been awarded to the seven programs at The Actors Fund, including The HIV/AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic and more, as well as more then 400 AIDS and family service organizations across the United States.

In recognition of this extraordinary fundraising and in honor of the many South African company members who have joined their American cast mates in these efforts, each year BC/EFA has sent at least 50 percent of the monies raised by The Lion King companies to 51 AIDS and family service organizations in South Africa, a country beset with the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the word.

This marks a significant milestone in a long-term partnership between the landmark Tony Award-winning musical and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, made possible by the tremendous commitment and generosity of the hundreds of theatrical professionals on stage, backstage and behind the scenes at the productions of The Lion King on Broadway and on tour across the country.

In a statement, BC/EFA Executive Director Tom Viola said: "When The Lion King first opened in 1997, we were excited to hear about the South African actors in the cast. I could not imagine, however, standing in front of them and talking about AIDS as if it was only happening here. BC/EFA couldn't ask them to help us reach out to people living with AIDS across the United States without acknowledging what was happening to their friends and families back home and sharing some of the resources they were making possible with organizations providing the most basic services for South Africans. BC/EFA salutes The Lion King family and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration and unique outreach to communities in South Africa, even as we look to the day when a vaccine for AIDS makes our concerted and committed efforts obsolete."

Thomas Schumacher, Producer and President of Disney Theatrical Productions and longtime BC/EFA Trustee said: "Well over 200 South African actors have worked on The Lion King over the course of its life and they are at the heart and soul of the show. It is humbling to realize what our Lion King family has been able to give back to their glorious country. Though Disney proudly supports BC/EFA on many levels, this staggering achievement is the result of hundreds of dedicated individuals from all nations working tirelessly, selflessly and on their own accord. We stand in awe of their accomplishment."

To read a complete story and view photos, visit www.broadwaycares.org/south_african_grants

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIV/AIDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The most recent United Nations estimates show almost 18 percent of 15-49 year old South Africans are living with HIV. In some regions, though, that percentage increases to almost half the adult population. In all, the U.N. estimates about 5.6 million people in South Africa are directly affected, including 300,000 children under the age of 15. While there have been great strides in providing much needed services across the country, South Africa continues to be faced with a harsh reality: nearly one-in-three women aged 25-29 and more than a quarter of men aged 30-34 are living with HIV.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT BC/EFA

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised over $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

BC/EFA also awards annual grants to more than 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors Fund, including The HIV/AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic and more.

www.broadwaycares.org