Sir Elton John raged that HIV care ought to be "prioritised and protected" after Donald Trump announced huge cuts to the federal budget for researching the condition. At least 145 grants have been cut, amounting to a total of over £339 million - but Elton John and co-star Brandi Carlile have teamed up in an effort to reverse the deficit.
The pair have launched the Who Believes In Angels campaign, named after their new chart-topping album, and are seeking donations. They'll then match anything given towards the cause to double the impact. The Elton John AIDS Foundation and Brandi's Looking Out Foundation will be overseeing the campaign, with the aim of stopping a "global health crisis" in its tracks. In a statement, Elton shared: "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.
"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 prioritised and protected."
The pair aim to raise at least £1million in the hope that scientists can find a breakthrough in preventing HIV transmission and improving quality of life for those who find themselves infected.
Here in the UK, the Labour government recently announced ambitions to end all new HIV cases by 2030, with an action plan set to be released this July. In a bid to raise awareness, Keir Starmer publicly tested himself for HIV, becoming the first ever G20 leader to do so.
However, there are fears that Donald Trump's decision to axe funding could set the world back and take Britain further away from achieving its zero transmission targets.
Brandi's foundation announced that "every donation will be matched by LOF, up to $100,000, doubling your impact to protect HIV prevention and care services across the U.S. and around the world...Let’s keep the music – and the momentum – going."
Readers can make donations to the cause on the Looking Out Foundation's website, here.
