December 1st is World AIDS Day and advocates are raising awareness to help end this pandemic and encourage those at risk to get tested. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) held various events around the world, including the Keep the Promise Around the Globe in Day advocacy effort in Los Angeles, CA.
The event began with the Keep the Promise march and a free concert with performances by Patti LaBelle, Common, JoJo, Espinoza Paz, B-Flow, Jencarlos Canela– hosted by Rosie Perez. Harry Belafonte received AHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his charitable efforts and advocacy around the world.
POWERFUL: thousands marched down Hollywood Blvd last night for #WorldAIDSDay to honor the 1.1M lives lost to HIV/AIDS last year. #KTP2016 pic.twitter.com/XRg72OOiRz
— AIDS Healthcare (@AIDSHealthcare) December 1, 2016
“Our hope is that our upcoming World AIDS Day Keep the Promise concert and march serve as a potent reminder that the fight against HIV/AIDS is not yet won and that these events serve as a clarion call to action,” said AHF’S President, Michael Weinstein.
AHF is currently the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the U.S. The newly elect president, Donald Trump has threatened to get rid of Obamacare, which will affect those that are currently receiving treatment for this terrible disease.
The Dream Team! @MsPattiPatti @harrybelafonte @rosieperezbklyn @common | #KTP2016 #WorldAIDSDay pic.twitter.com/sCqHY0hgPr
— AIDS Healthcare (@AIDSHealthcare) December 1, 2016
“They’re talking about cutting Medicare and if they cut Medicare, that’s a lot of people that are living with HIV/AIDS that are going to suffer without those funds,” says Rosie Perez. “This is an emergency that is occurring in the United States and it is our right to have access to care.”
For almost 30 years, AHF has been providing HIV prevention services, testing, and treatment for HIV/AIDS patients. Visit www.AIDSHealth.org for more information.