Sharon Stone has learned so much about how to be a compassionate person by working with the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
The ‘Basic Instinct’ actress gave a passionate speech at the ‘The AIDS Monument Groundbreaking’ event in West Hollywood on Saturday 6/5/21, in which she spoke about how she represents amfAR, for which she has since been the Global Campaign Chair of the charity is in 1998 – and helping people with HIV and AIDS made it clear to her that “the person next to you, no matter what” has to be accepted.
An emotional Sharon said, “The most important thing I learned as an AIDS worker was that it wasn’t just about AIDS. It’s about seeing the person next to you and accepting them no matter what. Because you know what? We’re in it together. “
June 5th marked the 40th anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control’s reporting of the first cases of AIDS in the United States, and the ceremony was held in West Hollywood Park in recognition of the fact.
In her speech, Sharon, 63, also remembered all the people around the world who tragically lost their lives to AIDS.
She said: “And while we are creating this monument here in our little wooded area. This is a global moment. While we fought hand in hand here, 44 million people died on our watch. “
Sharon wasn’t the only Hollywood icon to attend the event, as greats like Whoopi Goldberg, Star Trek star George Takei and Richard Gere were also in attendance.
The memorial itself will be located next to West Hollywood Park on San Vicente Boulevard.
A description of Sharon’s role on the amfAR website states: “Since assuming an important volunteer position at amfAR, Ms. Stone has traveled extensively on behalf of the foundation. In each of her numerous public appearances, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of HIV / AIDS as a threat to social and economic stability and to underline the urgent need for further AIDS research. “