March 23, 2011 by Christopher B.
Today, a woman who has been on the front lines of the fight against AIDS for decades has died.
To most who knew Elizabeth Taylor, she was a screen legend. There is no question that her acting skills brought happiness to many, and she is clearly one of the big screen’s best. But what Ms. Taylor must also be remembered for was her perseverance and courage that ultimately made her a lifesaver.
When others were turning their back on people who were suffering from a disease they knew little about, Ms. Taylor was out there fighting. She stood tall and brave against all of the nay-sayers and was the epitome of courage in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In 1985, before others were slowly being roused to act, Elizabeth Taylor became the Founding Chairman of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), the American charity that inspired the creation of CANFAR. She understood, and drew attention to, the importance of research and the role it played in ending AIDS, saying, "We must continue and strengthen our commitment to AIDS research to find effective treatments and a cure."
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the medical recognition of HIV/AIDS. It saddens me that Elizabeth Taylor, an incredible activist, didn’t get to see the day that AIDS was conquered and made history.
But I have no doubt that it can happen soon.
Today, I hope the news of Dame Elizabeth’s death will bring the world’s attention back to the HIV/AIDS cause. I hope her life will inspire you and others to get involved, get the message about how we can prevent HIV out there, and raise crucial money to fund AIDS research. I hope it will unite us all behind the quest for an AIDS cure.
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