On Monday, October 15, 2012, Sir
Elton John continued his humanitarian efforts to raise money for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and awareness programs across the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean at the
Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)'s 11th annual benefit An Enduring Vision held at Cipriani Wall Street (55 Wall Street). American Airlines, The Kraft Group, and Wells Fargo served as the Presenting Sponsors of the benefit, and the star-studded evening raised $2 million for the Foundation.
Below, check out photos from the benefit, featuring
Cheyenne Jackson,
Alan Cumming,
Brooke Shields, Courtney Love,
Anderson Cooper,
Nina Arianda, Sir
Elton John, of course, and many more!
As part of the evening's program, EJAF Founder Sir
Elton John and Chairman
David Furnish presented Enduring Vision awards to three outstanding Foundation supporters. Robert Kraft has been a loyal and generous supporter of the Foundation for many years, both personally and through the Robert and Myra Kraft Family Foundation. As Chairman, CEO, and Founder of Neuro, and as a private philanthropist, Diana Jenkins has been a wonderful patron of EJAF's work and events in the U.S. and in the U.K. Likewise, Joseph Blount has also been an ardent benefactor to the Foundation since its inception.
CNN journalist and New York Times best-selling author
Anderson Cooper hosted the gala dinner for a sixth consecutive year, and legendary singer
Stevie Nicks performed. Also, Jamie Niven of Sotheby's conducted a live auction featuring such one-of-a-kind items as a Jean-Philippe Delhomme portrait; "Big Bear," the largest canvas from Matthew Brandt's Lakes and Reservoirs series; two
Andy Warhol Cow screenprints; lunch for two with
Anderson Cooper; two best-in-house seats and backstage passes to
Alec Baldwin's Broadway performance of
Lyle Kessler's Orphans; and a week-long stay for up to 16 people at the Castello di Santa Eurasia in Italy.
"The AIDS disease is caused by a virus, but the AIDS epidemic is not. The AIDS epidemic is fueled by stigma, by hate, by misinformation, by ignorance, by indifference. Science has accomplished miracles over the past 20 years, and science can now end this disease - but it cannot end the epidemic. We need more than medicine," stated Sir
Elton John in his keynote speech. "We can do something about these things. We need to speak out about the changes we need to make in our society. We have spoken out. And we will continue to speak out."
Through the impeccable credibility and reputation attained based on 20 years of extensive work, EJAF has emerged as a significant leader in the field of AIDS. The Foundation advances public dialogue on critical and controversial issues related to the epidemic and challenges misguided policies and attitudes that block progress in HIV prevention. Proceeds from An Enduring Vision will help support these efforts, as well as EJAF's grant-making initiatives across the U.S., the Caribbean, and the Americas.
The
Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established as a nonprofit organization in the United States in 1992 and as a registered charity in the United Kingdom in 1993 by Sir
Elton John. Together, both entities have raised more than $275 million for worthy programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception.
Today, the Foundation is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and treatment, care, and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The U.S. organization's current grant-making priorities target HIV prevention programs throughout the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean; HIV prevention and care services for highly marginalized and vulnerable populations; and HIV/AIDS prevention education and the promotion of sexual health for adolescents.
For more information, visit
www.ejaf.org.
Photo Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage
Cheyenne Jackson
Bridget Moynahan
Brooke Shields
Donna Karan
Anderson Cooper
Alan Cumming
Courtney Love
Stevie Nicks
Designer Kenneth Cole and Maria Cuomo Cole
Lance Bass and Michael Turchin
Honoree Joseph 'Joe' Blount
Honoree Robert Kraft
Sir Elton John, Anderson Cooper and David Furnish
Robert Kraft, Sir Elton John and David Furnish
Sir Elton John, Diana Jenkins and David Furnish
Sir Elton John and Stevie Nicks
Sir Elton John, Stevie Nicks and David Furnish
Sir Elton John, Joseph Blount and David Furnish
Donna Karan and Matt Lauer
Alan Cumming, Courtney Love and Cheyenne Jackson
Courtney Love, Cheyenne Jackson and Nina Arianda
Brooke Shields, Julian Schnabel and May Anderson
Judith Light and Sandra Lee
David Furnish
Anderson Cooper
Sir Elton John
Honoree Robert Kraft and Sir Elton John
Stevie Nicks