USA: Actress and singer Hilary Duff flips the switch at the Empire State building to raise awareness of AIDS
Record ID:
384928
USA: Actress and singer Hilary Duff flips the switch at the Empire State building to raise awareness of AIDS
- Title: USA: Actress and singer Hilary Duff flips the switch at the Empire State building to raise awareness of AIDS
- Date: 15th May 2009
- Summary: FANS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
- Embargoed: 30th May 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment,Health
- Reuters ID: LVA148RW5CJ8UDN5KV3G061HHEI2
- Story Text: Actress and singer Hilary Duff flips the switch at the Empire State building to raise awareness of AIDS.
Actress and singer Hilary Duff was on hand to flip the switch of New York's Empire State building on Thursday (May 14), to raise awareness of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
The star led a lighting ceremony in the lobby of the world-famous spire, which will glow red to kick off this weekend's 24th Annual AIDS Walk New York. Around 45,000 people are expected to participate in Sunday's (May 17) walk, with proceeds benefiting Gay Men's Health Crisis and more than 40 local AIDS service organizations.
The American actress will walk with her own fund-raising team, called 'Hilary Duff.. Walk With Love.'
"It's remembering everyone that has lost their lives to AIDS, and people that are living with AIDS and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and people that are dedicated to the fight," Duff said.
In 2006, an estimated 56,300 individuals were infected with HIV in the United States. Duff said it was time for a major awareness campaign like the advertisements that were run in the 1980s.
"I definitely think we need another significant campaign. I think we need more educational programs in schools. It's kind of a taboo thing to talk about now, I believe, and it's completely preventable. This disease you can prevent as long as you protect yourself and you're educated."
The 21-year-old has a heavy workload juggling charity work with her other roles of singer, songwriter and fashion designer. Having been in the spotlight since she was a child, the teen sensation spoke of the challenges of growing from a child star into a modern day woman.
"I still have to go out there and fight for certain roles that I want that people might not see me in. But I want to challenge myself as an actress, and I want people to see me in a different way. And it is hard because I grew up in their living rooms, they grew up watching me as a kid on TV and I still definitely have that side of my personality - but I don't want to stay the same forever. As long as I live my life and do the things that I want to do, and challenge myself and my work, I think that it happens, it just takes time."
Fans braved the cold and wind on the Empire State building's observation deck, to take photos of the actress as she conducted interviews and posed for the media inside. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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