Sir Elton John to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from The Rockefeller Foundation

Rockefeller Foundation to Honor 'Rocket Man' for his Contribution to the Fight Against HIV/AIDS and the Stigma Associated with the Disease

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - The Rockefeller Foundation today announced that Sir Elton John will be the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be conferred during the Foundation's Centennial year at its upcoming event – "A Celebration of American Philanthropy" – to be held on October 30, 2013 in Washington, D.C. The Rockefeller Foundation will also make a grant to the Elton John AIDS Foundation to further its good work.

In addition to being one of the world's most successful and dynamic musicians, Sir Elton John is well known globally as a leading advocate and philanthropist on behalf of people with HIV/AIDS. In the early days of the AIDS crisis, he was one of the first to realize that it was necessary to de-stigmatize HIV/AIDS before governments and other donors would devote major resources to fighting the disease. His personal leadership and philanthropy over many years has led to progress in addressing discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and provided major resources to treatment and a cure.

"At The Rockefeller Foundation, we are constantly searching for innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges," said Dr. Judith Rodin, president of The Rockefeller Foundation. "As such, we are honored to recognize Sir Elton John for his unwavering commitment and contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS, and for the innovative work he has done not just targeting the disease, but also the stigma, discrimination, politics, and community-related concerns associated with it."

"From the beginning, it has been my steadfast belief that we would not be able to treat or cure HIV/AIDS when people living with the disease or very vulnerable to it are shunned, hidden, or denied their human rights," said Sir Elton John. "It is an honor to receive this Award from The Rockefeller Foundation, an organization that has been at the forefront of leveraging innovation, in all its forms, to promote the well-being of humanity around the world."

The Rockefeller Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to an outstanding individual who has implemented major innovative approaches to social or environmental problems. Previous recipients of the award are President Bill Clinton and Ratan Tata.

The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation aims to achieve equitable growth by expanding opportunity for more people in more places worldwide, and to build resilience by helping them prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stresses. Throughout its 100 year history, The Rockefeller Foundation has enhanced the impact of innovative thinkers and actors working to change the world by providing the resources, networks, convening power, and technologies to move them from idea to impact. In today's dynamic and interconnected world, The Rockefeller Foundation has a unique ability to address the emerging challenges facing humankind through innovation, intervention and influence in order to shape agendas and inform decision making. For more information, please visit http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org

SOURCE: The Rockefeller Foundation

Erissa Scalera, Rockefeller Foundation, 212-852-8430, [email protected]

http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org