 |
|
photo by steed media service
|
Producer and Founder, Dance for Life
The
average person isn’t impressed with viewing a great performance in the
back of a crowded theater. But to Keith Elliott, producer and founder
of Dance for Life (DFL), it’s the most gratifying place to be in the
room.
“I get to look and see the whole theater packed,” said Elliott. “And I
know that everyone is coming together for the cause, which is to raise
money for HIV/AIDS care, prevention and education. We’re really able to
put this money to some great use.”
DFL is an annual dance performance that brings together some of
Chicago’s best dance companies, including the Joffrey Ballet and Luna
Negra Dance Theatre, to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS. The organization
was started 16 years ago by a group of dancers who felt the need to
help fight HIV/AIDS because it was killing many of their friends.
According to estimates from the UNAIDS/WHO AIDS Epidemic Update, nearly
37.2 million adults and 2.3 million children were living with HIV at
the end of 2006.
“Through our programs, we serve about five thousand people living with
HIV and living with AIDS,” said Mark Ishaug, president and chief
executive officer for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. “Everyday we make
a difference, so everyday is satisfying.”
Since its inception, DFL has quickly become the Midwest’s largest
performance-based fundraiser and has raised over $3 million for various
AIDS organizations. A great accomplishment, but to many more, work is
needed. “We can end this epidemic,” said Ishaug. “We need both the
political will and the resources to do it, and hundreds of volunteers.
There’s no secret about how to end AIDS.” –tarin harris
