The new coronavirus will not slow down superstar Elton John’s HIV advocacy. The rock icon announced on social media that his AIDS foundation is launching a $1 million COVID-19 emergency fund specifically targeting the needs of the HIV community. 

According to the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s website, EJAF.org, the fund is accepting applications until Thursday, April 23.

You can watch John’s announcement in the video above, but here’s a transcript:

“Hi! This is Elton, and I’m so pleased to announce that my foundation is launching a new COVID-19 emergency fund today. For almost 30 years, my foundation has prioritized the most vulnerable people to HIV to end the AIDS epidemic, and we’re committed to this during the COVID-19 crisis too.

 

“Distributing medicines, testing and preventive treatment is not as simple as it was a few weeks ago, so our new COVID-19 emergency fund will help frontline partners to prepare for and respond to the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalized communities. We must keep up momentum or else the results could be disastrous for people living with HIV and other infectious diseases.

 

“We are with you, we’re thinking of you, we will not leave anyone behind. Head to EJAF.org to find out more.”

The website includes details on how to apply, including criteria and the request for proposal. It explains that the COVID-19 Emergency Fund is “accepting applications for solutions that have strong potential to address specific challenges that have arisen for people already living with or at severe risk of HIV/AIDS and who are now at heightened risk as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such solutions should aim to demonstrably mitigate the threat of COVID-19 on maintaining current levels of access or increasing access to HIV-related prevention, testing, care and treatment adherence services.”

A legendary pop star since the ’70s, John was the subject of last year’s biographical film Rocketman. To learn more about his AIDS advocacy, see the POZ articles “Elton John on Who Inspired Him to Get Sober and Fight AIDS [VIDEO]” and “What’s the Most Important Thing HIV Charities Can Do Right Now?” or click #Elton John for a collection of articles.

Keep in mind that novel coronavirus guidance and concerns for unique populations may vary. For example, see “3 Reasons COVID-19 Poses a Higher Risk for the LGBTQ Population,” “UPDATED: What People With HIV Need to Know About the New Coronavirus” and the similar article for people with cancer.

Go to poz.com/tag/coronavirus for our continuing coverage of COVID-19.