Singer-songwriter Elton John congratulated Dr. Anthony Fauci for winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 U.S. Global Leadership Coalition yesterday. During the virtual ceremony, John congratulated Fauci not only for his recent work on the coronavirus pandemic, but also for his research work during the 80s AIDS epidemic.
“What a wonderful and fitting way to mark World AIDS Day by honoring one of the biggest champions in the AIDS epidemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci.” John welcomed the award winner. “There are very few people on this planet who have dedicated themselves to a lifetime of service to save millions of lives like Dr. Fauci. His unwavering commitment to public health and innovation has transformed the approach to HIV, and it is his leadership and persistence that will ultimately help us to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.”
John then went on to specifically praise Fauci’s dedication to solving the AIDS epidemic, which he spearheaded upon becoming the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 1984.
“I founded the Elton Donates Foundation 28 years ago to protect, test, and treat the most vulnerable people affected by HIV, and through my foundation I’ve had the pleasure of advocating alongside some of the greatest minds, politicians, scientists, and influential leaders, and not many can top the progressive changes made in the USA for people living with HIV than Dr. Fauci,” John said. “This is a man who is responsible for embracing activists and people living with HIV, and incorporating their views to change drug trials back in the early days. He expanded research and treatment, and saved countless lives.”
Larry Kramer, the late LGBT activist who founded the 80’s ACT UP movement to combat the AIDS epidemic, even praised Fauci “the only true and great hero” among government officials in the AIDS crisis in 2002.
John went on to share a little bit about his personal relationship with Fauci, and once again praise his ongoing research work on the AIDS epidemic.
“We met years ago at an AIDS conference, and I applaud and admire the continued leadership and devotion to this fight,” John said. “Together, we will end the AIDS epidemic. So, Dr. Fauci, we thank you. Congratulations on this wonderful honor, and god bless.”
