Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Celebrates Its 30th Annual A Time For Heroes Family Festival
October 27, 2019 – LOS ANGELES, CA – The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) returned to Smashbox Studios in Culver City to host their annual A Time for Heroes Family Festival, which raises critical funds needed to end AIDS in children. Since its inception in 1990, the event has raised more than 36 million dollars toward its goal of creating a world where no child has AIDS. Celebrity guests and supporters enjoyed delicious food from top local eateries, interactive games and high-energy entertainment.
The festivities kicked off at noon and included a day of fun for celebrity attendees and local Angeleno families alike. Guests enjoyed activities including battles in the robot arena, an obstacle course, and drawing with Nickelodeon animators. The celebration concluded with an upbeat performance by lovelytheband.
This year, EGPAF honored its co-founders Susie Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis, two inspiring women who alongside Elizabeth Glaser started the first research and advocacy efforts for children living with AIDS. They have since built an incredible legacy, helping millions of mothers, children and families around the world to live longer, healthier lives.
“We started out as three moms sitting around Elizabeth’s kitchen table with no background in fundraising or research, but we were determined—as only moms could be—to follow our hearts to change the landscape of AIDS,” said Susie Zeegen.
Susan DeLaurentis added, “We started the foundation thirty years ago to save the life of one child, but along the way, we fought for every child with HIV, because every child deserves a lifetime.”
Jake Glaser, EGPAF Ambassador and son of Elizabeth Glaser, told attendees how the advancements in HIV treatment allow him to live a full, healthy life that would not have seemed possible thirty years ago. Dee Mphafi, an EGPAF youth counselor in Lesotho, shared her dedication to making sure other young people take that life-saving medication.
“As a young person living with HIV, I can say without a doubt that anti-retroviral medications—combined with support from my family and community—saved my life after my diagnosis,” Mphafi said. “I work every day to ensure that others are taking their medications, reminding them that they too can have hope for a bright future.”
EGPAF also honored ViiV Healthcare for their decade-long commitment to upholding the mission and vision of Elizabeth, Susie and Susan towards ending AIDS in children and families.
“For 10 years, ViiV Healthcare has developed innovative ways to improve the lives of children and families affected by HIV,” said Deborah Waterhouse, CEO, ViiV Healthcare. “We partner with EGPAF to increase early detection of HIV, improve medicines for babies and children, and fast-track programs to support adolescents. With dedication and strong partnerships like this one, we can win the fight against AIDS.”
Notable celebrity attendees included: Ashley Greene, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, Ava Michelle, Connie Britton, Daniel DiMaggio, Ed Westwick, Eliza Pryor, Elizabeth Woods, Erin Foster, Fatima Ptacek, Hudson Yang, Ian Chen, Isis King, Jake T. Austin, Jason Dolley, Jason Lewis, Jeffrey Brown, John Woods III, Kate Linder, Keith L. Williams, Kyla Kennedy, Loni Love, Mackenzie Hancsicsak, Marisol Nichols, Mason Cook, Meg Donnelly, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Parker Bates, Perez Hilton, Rachel Zoe, Raegan Revord, Sam Jaeger, Sara Foster
“At the first A Time for Heroes, there was no way to prevent transmission of HIV from a mom to her baby—there were no medicines available for children,” said Charles Lyons, President and CEO of EGPAF. “Thanks to the work started by Susan, Susie, and Elizabeth, and HIV treatments from companies like ViiV, we have seen a 95% decline in new pediatric infections in the US and a global reduction by more than half.”
With a footprint in 5,000 sites in 19 countries around the world, EGPAF has reached more over 30 million pregnant women with services to block transmission of HIV to their babies. This work has prevented over 300,000 pediatric HIV infections since 2004.
If you want to learn more about how to get involved with this cause, please visit pedaids.org and check out EGPAF on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @EGPAF.
The 2019 Host Committee: Ali Landry (Bella), Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives), Anthony Anderson (Beats), Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills 90210), Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Chuck Liddell (UFC Fighter), Courtney Cox (Cougar Town), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl), Erin Foster (Barely Famous), Fatima Ptacek (Dora the Explorer), Gilles Marini (Sex and the City movie), James & Kimberly Van Der Beek (DWTS), Jenna Dewan (The Resident), Jenna Fischer (Hall Pass), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Justin Hartley (This is US), Kate Hudson (Almost Famous), Kate Mara (House of Cards), Marisol Nichols (Riverdale), Mason Cook (Speechless), Patricia Heaton (The Middle), Perez Hilton (Celebrity Blogger), Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace), Rachel Bilson (Hart of Dixie), Rachel Zoe (Fashion Designer), Ryan Guzman (The Boy Next Door), Sarah Chalke (Scrubs), Sara Foster (Barely Famous), Tiffani Thiessen (White Collar), Tom Hanks (Sully), Tony & Martel Hale (Celebrity Makeup Artist), Whitney Port (The Hills).
