Look To The Stars News: Staying Alive Foundation

Stars Support New MTV Video Competition

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

MTV and MySpace have launched an exciting new competition that puts YOU in the creative driving seat. And if you win, you could be making your directorial debut on MTV… and helping the Staying Alive Foundation in their aim to reach at-risk youth and protect them from the multiple threats posed by HIV and AIDS.

Untold Stories is looking for budding scriptwriters to finish off three videos posted on the competition website, and the person whose ending really packs a punch will be chosen as the winner. If you’re that lucky person, you’ll get to make the script into a short film – with the help of MTV producers! According to the Staying Alive Foundation, not only will your finished masterpiece be shown on MTV channels, but you’ll also be whisked off to watch your film played at a World AIDS Day event in India.

The competition is being supported by Selma Blair, Ludacris, T-Pain, Idris Elba, and Ashley Judd – all of whom appear in the videos on the competition’s MySpace page.

As well as the competition – which ends on September 2 – the Staying Alive Foundation is also auctioning a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the excitement of the MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, including celebrity meet & greets, red carpet access, after party tickets, and accommodation at The Standard in downtown LA. The auction ends on August 28, and can be accessed through the Charity Folks website.

The Staying Alive Foundation is a charity established by MTV in 2005 to present small grants that support innovative projects in schools, youth centers, and clubs to educate youth about safe sex and HIV/AIDS.

Kelly Rowland Tested For HIV To Raise Awareness

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

R&B singer Kelly Rowland has undergone an HIV test in Africa to raise awareness of the disease.

The 27-year-old Destiny’s Child singer took the test while in Nairobi on Thursday to help reduce the stigma of the disease in the country, where people fear discrimination if they are tested.

“Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to HIV infection, and it is important for everyone to know their HIV status,” she said. “The quicker you know your status, the sooner you can receive treatment if you’re HIV+, and reduce the risk of inadvertently infecting future partners.”

Rowland is in Africa as the first ever Ambassador for MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, and hopes to help the people of Kenya get the disease under control. HIV/AIDS is at pandemic levels through much of Africa, with UNAIDS – the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS – estimating that more than 22 million adults and children are living with the disease on the continent.

The singer also took the time to visit the 2008 recipients of the Staying Alive Foundation’s grants, who have been chosen for their efforts to encourage, educate and empower their peers in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Each grantee receives a cash grant to enable them to realize a project associated with raising the awareness of the disease. The Kenyan recipients of the 2008 Staying Alive Foundation Awards are: The Kisumu Self Help Disabled Group; REPACTED (Rapid Effective Participatory Action in Community Theatre Education and Development); and The Positive Youth Initiative.

“All the 2008 Staying Alive grantees should be proud of the vital function they fulfill in their communities by helping to raise the awareness about HIV/AIDS,” said Rowland. “By stressing the importance of prevention, raising awareness about the basic issues surrounding HIV and AIDS and reducing stigma associated with infection, they are taking direct action to help stop the spread of the disease.”

Jamelia Launches Fragrance, Bares All For Charity

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:37:37 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Pop star Jamelia has recently been making it her business to lend support to charities.

In January she launched a perfume in support of MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of AIDS and HIV. Proceeds from each bottle of “Rougeberry” sold will go directly to the Foundation.

Jamelia said: “A lot of people are thinking it’s not really their problem, it’s not going to happen to them.

“I feel that people really need to be more aware of the problem and realise that it can happen if you’re not safe and careful.”

This week she has become the latest celebrity to pose nude for an anti-fur campaign by animal rights PETA timed to coincide with London Fashion Week.

“The reason I decided to bare all for Peta was because I was educated about the inhumane ways animals used for their fur are treated, and I think it’s disgusting,” said Jamelia.

“I think if you have a heart, then you just wouldn’t wear fur.”

The charity’s provocative nude adverts have previously featured Sadie Frost, Pamela Anderson, Kim Basinger and Christy Turlington.

Look To The Stars News: Staying Alive Foundation

Stars Support New MTV Video Competition

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