Sharon Stone learned so much about how to be a compassionate human being from working with The American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Sharon Stone
The 'Basic Instinct' actress gave an impassioned speech at ‘The AIDS Monument Groundbreaking'’ event in West Hollywood on Saturday (05.06.21), during which she spoke about how representing amfAR - for which she has been the charity's Global Campaign Chair since 1998 - and helping individuals living with HIV and AIDS made her realise you have to accept the "person next to you no matter what".
An emotional Sharon said: "The main thing I learned from being an AIDS worker was that it wasn’t just about AIDS. It’s about looking at the person next to you and accepting them no matter what. Because you know what? We’re in it together."
June 5 was the 40th anniversary of the first cases of AIDS being reported in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and the ceremony was held in the West Hollywood Park in recognition of that fact.
In her speech, Sharon, 63, also remembered all the people around the world who have tragically lost their lives to AIDS.
She said: "And while we are here in our little neck of the woods creating this memorial. This is a global moment. While we stood here fighting hand in hand, 44 million people died on our watch.”
Sharon wasn’t the only Hollywood icon present at the event as the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, 'Star Trek’ star George Takei and Richard Gere were also in attendance.
The monument itself will be located next to the West Hollywood Park on San Vicente Boulevard.
A description of Sharon’s role on amfAR’s website says: “Since accepting a key volunteer position with amfAR, Ms. Stone has travelled widely on behalf of the Foundation. At each of her many public appearances, she has worked tirelessly to heighten awareness of HIV/AIDS as a threat to social and economic stability and to underscore the urgent need for continued AIDS research.”
Tagged in Whoopi Goldberg Richard Gere Sharon Stone