Vienna HIV/AIDS Charity Ball to End After 26 Years
The Vienna Life Ball will be held for a final time this year. The event is one of the largest HIV/AIDS fundraising events in the world and has been hosted every year for the last 26 years.
Launched by Gery Keszle, the project has raised more than £26 million and has attracted huge names like Elton John, Vivienne Westwood and former US President Bill Clinton, along with 45,000 spectators each year.
Keszle explains that the remarkable progress that has been made in treating HIV/AIDS has led to shrinking support for the fundraiser.
“The underlying conditions and circumstances have changed greatly over the last few years. We have achieved a lot in the fight against AIDS. AIDS has changed from a death sentence to being a chronic disease,” he said.
“The paradox of this success is that the number of allies for AIDS charity projects is decreasing both at home and abroad.”
“They were incredible, fantastic and intense years. We achieved more than we ever dared hope. I am so eternally grateful. It is now time to bring this project to a fitting conclusion.”
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