Today, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Looking Out Foundation announced a landmark initiative—the “Who Believes In Angels?” Campaign—to address the urgent global humanitarian crisis caused by recent cuts to HIV/AIDS funding in the United States.
The partnership, spearheaded by global superstar Elton John and multi-Grammy-winning artist Brandi Carlile, is bringing their communities together to raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation's lifesaving work globally and its Rocket Response Fund. This emergency initiative will help Elton John AIDS Foundation’s partners maintain essential services following significant cuts in funding due to the termination of USAID support. The Rocket Response Fund will direct resources to reopen clinics, restore access to essential medications, and maintain prevention services — ensuring people around the world continue to receive the vital HIV care they need.
“Without prompt action, decades of progress in the global fight against HIV could be reversed, creating a global health crisis that we have both the power and the tools to prevent,” said Elton John, Founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. “Our mission is more important than ever - we refuse to leave anyone behind – and I’m so fortunate that Brandi is not only a wonderful collaborator and artist, but a dear friend who shares my vision of a world where HIV care is prioritized and protected.”
International funding has been critical to reducing new HIV transmissions and deaths worldwide. However, many countries in addition to the U.S. are now considering cuts to aid, which will have devastating consequences. Recent projections from The Lancet HIV, based on data from 26 countries, estimate that up to 10.8 million additional HIV cases and 2.9 million HIV-related deaths could occur by 2030 if international support declines. Without urgent action, decades of progress in the global HIV response are at risk of being undone.
“It was a lifelong dream come true for me to come together with my hero and friend Elton John to make our album Who Believes In Angels? and now, we're excited to announce that our foundations are also partnering to make our music mean even more,” said Brandi Carlile, Founder of the Looking Out Foundation. “Elton’s activism and work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation was what led me to Elton before I even heard a note of his music. It’s an incredible honor to launch this partnership and raise funds for the life-saving work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Rocket Response Fund at a time when support is needed the most.”
Donations to this campaign can be made here via the Looking Out Foundation.
Announcement video can be downloaded here or viewed on Instagram.
About the Elton John AIDS Foundation
The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world. The Foundation's mission is simple: an end to the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to overcoming the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keep us from ending AIDS. With the mobilization of our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local experts across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent infections and provide treatment as well as influencing governments to end AIDS. www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org. @ejaf on Instagram.
About the Looking Out Foundation
Founded by Brandi Carlile in 2008, the Looking Out Foundation amplifies the impact of music by empowering those without a voice, with campaigns focused on children living in war zones, prevention and reduction of youth incarceration, and raising awareness for victims of sexual assault.
