Love Is the Cure
On Life, Loss, and the End of AIDS
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A deeply personal account of Elton John's life during the era of AIDS and an inspiring call to action.
In the 1980s, Elton John saw friend after friend, loved one after loved one, perish needlessly from AIDS. He befriended Ryan White, a young Indiana boy ostracized because of his HIV infection. Ryan's inspiring life and devastating death led Elton to two realizations: His own life was a mess. And he had to do something to help stop the AIDS crisis.
Since then, Elton has dedicated himself to overcoming the plague and the stigma of AIDS. The Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised and donated $275 million to date to fighting the disease worldwide. Love Is the Cure includes stories of Elton's close friendships with Ryan White, Freddie Mercury, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, and others, and the story of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Sales of Love Is the Cure benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In addition to having sold over 250 million records, John is a vocal advocate of AIDS awareness whose namesake foundation has raised over $275 million toward fighting the disease. Inspired by the bravery of Ryan White, a young Indianan who contracted AIDS via a blood transfusion, John embarked on a mission to educate others and eradicate the affliction. He admits that the fight against AIDS has been an uphill battle beleaguered by homophobia, ignorance, indifference, and stigmatization on the part of governments and citizens alike, and while he certainly isn't afraid to call out obfuscators, his aim is to make it clear that though treatments have come a long way, AIDS remains a very real threat to people around the world. Since 1992, the number of diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS has risen from 1.5 million to 34 million. But it's not all bad news John highlights efforts made in Louisiana and New York that have made a real difference in the lives of patients, as did the Clinton Foundation's efforts to make drugs more affordable. Nevertheless, John insists that it will take a great deal of resolve and commitment on the part of citizens, governments, and corporations to put an end to the disease. This inspirational cri de coeur is sure to encourage those in the trenches and compel those on the sidelines to get involved.
Customer Reviews
Don't be a hater
I remember when Ryan white, an innocent teenager who was, by the way NOT gay or bisexual contracted aids through a blood transfusion. His community for the most part ran his family out of town by their hatred and misinformation, much like the other reviewer (and I use that term very loosely) would have probably done. So many big name stars came to back him, Michael Jackson being one of them. But you know what I remember the most? When the press had their fill of the story and the family was once again alone in their struggle and grief guess who stayed behind, manning the phones and answering the mail. Yep, Elton John did. He wasn't there to be in the public eye to say 'look at me and how much I care'. He was there for the RIGHT reasons. He knew Ryan and his family needed the support so he stayed behind to help. Yes, I have always been a fan of his from the get go, being one of the lucky ones to have met him. To make a long story short he came out of his hotel one St. Patrick's day to meet myself and my friends who had been waiting all day, but at the wrong entrance to the hotel just because he cared. We gave him flowers which he took with gratitude and thanked us all while the parade was passing by (how I miss my home town of NYC!). Elton is a big hearted guy, to the Ryan Whites in this world right down to the fans who he could have ignored. If there is a God may he bless him and see that he has spent his life giving back to those in need.
Amazing!!!
To jedi1922. You need to back it up dear, he was a kid. He had no control over what happened to him, yet he still went through the whole thing wanting to go to school, smiling, and never complaining. Rather he had been gay or not is irrelevant and none of your business. This book is amazing and touching. And what little bit I did read made me tear up. I will be buying this tomorrow when it goes on sale. I have been a lifelong fan of Sir Elton John and have been fortune enough to see him life more than once and shake his hand. He was there when nobody else was. He gave this family the emotional support they needed and never abandoned them. He rushed back after a concert and was there with him as he passed away. True compassion. Something you obviously can't see and I'm sorry that your so blinded to it, because it is a beautiful thing. So, ask yourself... If you had a blood transfusion and contracted AIDS would you want to be treated the way your treating others at this very moment?
Bigoted much?
@JEDI1992: Your bigotry has blinded you to the relevance of this book to so many topics, including health. This kid died as a result of a blood transfusion, not gay sex. Pray that God forgives your willingness to abandon what Jesus taught us.