The Spectrum

Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: A & E

The (RED) Organization helps bring awareness to the HIV virus around the world. With thousands dying from AIDS every year, Hollywood has been hit hard by the deadly disease and current stars are reaching out to raise awareness about AIDS and advertise for (RED) Products.

A portion of the proceeds from (RED) Product sales go to fighting AIDS in Africa. Stores selling (RED) Products include Starbucks, Gap, Converse, Apple, and Hallmark.

A new music service, (RED) Wire, will provide exclusive music by artists involved in the (RED) Organization. "(RED) has proven an effective vehicle," said singer, John Legend in an interview with USA Today. Musicians with tracks on (RED) Wire include Coldplay, Jay-Z, the Dixie Chicks, and U2.

U2's lead singer, Bono, is the founder of the (RED) Project. "When you buy a Red product, the company gives money to buy pills that will keep someone in Africa alive," said Bono in a report for MSNBC. Bono has encouraged other celebrities to help in advertising for (RED) Products.

During the 2008 Super Bowl, millions watched as Brad Pitt appeared in a commercial for Dell Computers to benefit the (RED) Organization.

Julia Roberts has designed a red leather bracelet to be sold for the (RED) Organization during Christmas. Models for the (RED) clothing line at Gap include Chris Rock, Jennifer Garner, and Don Cheadle.

Some celebrities go beyond raising money to fight AIDS and star in films to raise awareness about the disease.

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks is a supporter of the (RED) Organization and has raised awareness for AIDS when starring in the 1993 film "Philadelphia." Hanks plays an associate for a law firm who is fired for being HIV positive.

Freddy Mercury, the lead singer of the iconic band Queen, died from AIDS in November of 1991. He had hidden his disease from the public until the day before his death. Stars in attendance at Mercury's funeral included Elton John and David Bowie.

John and Bowie also performed in a tribute concert to Mercury in 1992. The concert featured a performance by the surviving members of Queen and a speech by Elizabeth Taylor.

"The bright light of his talent still exhilarates us even now, after his life was cruelly extinguished," said Taylor in her speech about Mercury. "It needn't have happened, it shouldn't have happened, let it not happen again."

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation is an organization founded by Taylor to help raise donations for discovering a cure for the disease. Though no cure has been found, some people live with the disease for several years.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, an NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s, announced he was HIV positive in 1992. After his announcement, Johnson founded the Magic Johnson Foundation to raise money to combat AIDS. 15 years later, Johnson is still alive.

"Since I announced it 15 years ago, hundreds of thousands of people have died from HIV/AIDS," said Johnson in interview for USA Today. "There will be more people dying. The virus acts different in all of us. There's no certainty that you're going to be okay."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools