Elton John AIDS Foundation's Eleventh Annual An Enduring Vision

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Oct 18, 2012, 11:16 ET

 Robert Kraft, Diana Jenkins, and Joseph Blount Honored 

Event Raises $2 Million for the Foundation 

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Monday, 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.

You can view a photo gallery from the event here:  www.ejaf.org/an-enduring-vision-2012  

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.

About EJAF  

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, please visit www.ejaf.org.

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SOURCE Elton John AIDS Foundation