On Saturday, amfAR recognized Bill Gates for his generous contributions to the struggle against AIDS.
The leading charity presented Gates with the Award of Courage at the International AIDS Conference at the Kennedy arts center, in honor of all scientists, health workers and those who suffered from or continue to cope with AIDS and the HIV virus.
“We have many potential game-changers that are bringing us closer to the end of AIDS,” Gates said, referring to antiretroviral medications and new vaccines. “What’s important is to remember that we can continue to make these breakthroughs if we stay committed.
“I’m optimistic… that we will develop these new tools, and that we will make AIDS history. Working together, I know we will,” he said.
The American Foundation for AIDS Research, also known as amfAR, is one of the leading non-profits working to solve the global AIDS-HIV issue. Co-founded by the late Elizabeth Taylor, the organization’s fundraising events often attract celebrity guests and supporters.
Gates and his wife Melinda, through his highly successful software company, have contributed more than $2.5 billion to HIV grants around the world. According to a recent report from amfAR, he has also committed more than $1.4 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
During the event, Gates said:
“We need to invent a vaccine. We need to keep the funding levels going up. We need to grow out new prevention tools. There are still millions of people being affected.”
Sharon Stone, who presented Gates at the event, added:
“I think what we feel like is that we are at the beginning of the end. There isn’t a family left that hasn’t been touched by the AIDS crisis. Now is the time to push this through to the end. We must find a cure. We must find a vaccine. We need to draw this to a close.”