Sir Elton John and David Furnish Host 18th Annual Academy Awards(R) Viewing Party Benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The 18th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Academy Awards® Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish will be held Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Pacific Design Center and will be presented by Chopard, Jo and Raffy Manoukian, and Neuro Drinks.  The event will begin at 4:00 P.M. with a cocktail reception, followed by a formal dinner and viewing of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards®, an exciting auction and a very special soon-to-be-announced musical performer invited by Sir Elton John to perform at the event. 

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Last year, the highly successful annual gala raised $4 million.  EJAF will continue to invest the money raised at this event in grant-making initiatives that support HIV prevention programs, anti-discrimination efforts, and direct services to persons living with HIV/AIDS.  The Foundation targets key populations that are poorly served by current prevention efforts and most at risk of infection in an effort to bring about immediate change that will end this epidemic.

"Beginning with a modest dinner that raised $300,000 in 1993, EJAF's Academy Awards Viewing Party has grown into a multi-million dollar annual benefit that has raised approximately $25 million to date for the Foundation's life-saving programs," says EJAF Director Scott Campbell.  "But these achievements only address a small portion of the enormous need that already exists and that is growing at the rate of 10 more people every minute.  We have a huge task ahead of us, and we are deeply grateful to our supporters and friends around the world for joining us in this vital cause."

The EJAF Party is guaranteed to bring out today's brightest Hollywood stars. This year, the Foundation is especially honored to have David and Victoria Beckham, Kathryn Bigelow, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Diana Jenkins, Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Lenny Kravitz, Ryan Kwanten, Ed Limato, Eric and Janet McCormack, Tyler Perry, Rich Ross, Gabourey Sidibie, Sharon Stone, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Donatella Versace, and John Waters serve as event chairs.  

Past guests have included Academy Award winners; stars of music, film, television and fashion; and Hollywood's most influential filmmakers such as Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sir Paul McCartney, Zoe Saldana, Marion Cotillard, Natasha Bedingfield, Gerard Butler, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum and Seal, Victoria Beckham, Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres, Sting, Denzel Washington, Chace Crawford, Emmy Rossum, Zac Posen, Rashida Jones, Jerry Weintraub, Sean Penn, Prince, and Mary J. Blige, among many others.  

Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Facebook:  http://apps.facebook.com/causes/5321

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION: The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established in the United States in 1992 (EJAF-US) and in the United Kingdom in 1993 (EJAF-UK) by founder and chairman Sir Elton John. Together, both entities have raised nearly $175 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception. Today, EJAF is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. EJAF-US's current grant-making priorities target HIV prevention programs in the Southern United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America; HIV prevention and care services for highly marginalized and vulnerable populations; and HIV/AIDS prevention education and the promotion of sexual health for adolescents.

CHOPARD:  There are few jewelers in the world whose designs are immediately recognizable.  At the forefront of that list is Chopard.  For 150 years, the "World of Chopard" has embraced elegance, originality and individuality. Renowned internationally for its award-winning "Happy Diamonds" creations, the Chopard collection also includes an array of designs that adorn celebrities around the world.  Meticulously crafted in Geneva, Switzerland since 1860, Chopard has distinguished itself worldwide for luxurious jewels and impeccably crafted high-precision timepieces that embody imaginative design and sophistication. To mark Chopard's 10 years of support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele has designed a new watch collection in collaboration with Sir Elton John himself.  A testament to their friendship, the watch collection reflects the artist's extravagant personality as well as his tremendous generosity. A percentage of sales from these watches benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.  For further information, phone 1.800.CHOPARD or explore Chopard on line at www.chopard.com.

JO and RAFFY MANOUKIAN:  Jo and Raffy Manoukian are honored to be one of the sponsors of the annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards® Viewing Party.  They have been personal friends of Sir Elton John since the early 1990s and are actively involved with the Foundation in the capacity of both Trustees and Board Members.  The Elton John AIDS Foundation forms only one part of Jo and Raffy's philanthropy. Their charitable efforts span the globe with special emphasis on health, education, human rights, music, sports and media ventures.

NEURO DRINKS: Neuro is a groundbreaking brand of great-tasting functional beverages that provides nutraceutical blends formulated to promote health and well-being.  Neuro Drinks contain natural, exotic tropical flavors and essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and botanicals to enhance and support a demanding round-the-clock lifestyle. The line features seven blends: NeuroGasm, NeuroSonic, NeuroBliss, NeuroSport, NeuroTrim, NeuroSleep and NeuroAqua, all individually crafted to provide beneficial elements that help you stay well. Drink smart. Drink Neuro.

AMERICAN AIRLINES: American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,400 daily flights.  American Airlines is the official airline of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

SOURCE Elton John AIDS Foundation