Liz Taylor gives SA clinic cash
2006-06-01 16:37
Durban - Hollywood legend Liz Taylor has donated $30 000 to a KwaZulu-Natal clinic so that it can provide more antiretroviral drugs and HIV/Aids services, the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) said on Thursday.
"This donation puts us one step closer to helping to provide ARV treatment to the hundreds of thousands of people who desperately need it," said Michael Weinstein, president of AHF, through which Taylor made the donation.
The US-based organisation operates free HIV/Aids treatment clinics in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Ithembalabantu Clinic in Umlazi, south of Durban, received $25 000 from her in 2004.
"I want to honour and thank Elizabeth Taylor for her indefatigable leadership and compassion in the fight against Aids over the past two decades, and thank her specifically for this much-appreciated contribution to our efforts in South Africa to provide these life-saving Aids drugs to a population in desperate need," said Weinstein.
The clinic was established in 2001 and is, according to Weinstein, "an inspiring example to show that the provision of comprehensive treatment and care for HIV/Aids patients in a resource-constrained setting is feasible and extremely effective".
The clinic currently cares for over 4 500 people, more than 1500 of whom receive antiretroviral treatment through the facility.
The donation would help additional patients to receive medical care and ARV treatment.
Taylor became involved in HIV/Aids fund raising after her close friend the actor Rock Hudson died of the disease.
- SAPA