Whom You Know: Donatella Versace Announces $300,000 Fundraising Match for Elton John AIDS Foundation's Rocket Fund

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Donatella Versace Announces $300,000 Fundraising Match for Elton John AIDS Foundation's Rocket Fund

Match supports new initiative to tackle growing rates of HIV and create a more equitable future for everyone, everywhere.

Versace Chief Creative Officer, Donatella Versace is pleased to announce a $300,000 matching gift for donations to the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Rocket Fund during June Pride month. As a longtime supporter of the Foundation, and Co-Chair of The Rocket Fund, Donatella is honored to be part of this transformative $125 million campaign, to reinforce their commitment to ending AIDS and their dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ rights.

David Furnish and Donatella Versace. Courtesy of Michael Blanchard.

Elton John and Donatella Versace. Courtesy of Versace.

This donation will specifically support the Foundation's efforts to fund programs that enhance access to health resources like HIV testing and compassionate care, and fight discriminatory laws restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ people around the world.

"When the AIDS epidemic began 32 years ago, it was a very dark moment in history," said Donatella Versace. "I personally lost four of my best friends and so many friends and colleagues from the industry. My brother Gianni suffered from the stigma associated with his sexual orientation, made worse by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I am shocked that today, with everything we know and how fast we can communicate, HIV is on the rise amongst young LGBTQ+ people. As Pride celebrations begin globally, I am committed to supporting the amazing work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation to end AIDS by 2030 and to kick start our efforts with our $300,000 match."

In addition to her longtime support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Donatella has a long history of philanthropic giving in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in support of the LGBTQ+ community. In 1993, she and Gianni Versace published their book "South Beach Stories," donating all proceeds to the Italian AIDS relief organization ANLAIDS. In 2019, Donatella was honored as an official Stonewall ambassador by Pride Live for her work to support and empower the LGBTQ+ community.

"Elton and I are honored to have our dear friend and LGBTQ+ ally, Donatella Versace joining this monumental moment for the Foundation as a Co-Chair of The Rocket Fund," said David Furnish, Chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. "The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to impact millions of people globally. As parts of the world are becoming more divisive and dangerous, the most vulnerable among us are being left behind. This generous matching gift from Donatella Versace will help to ensure the LGBTQ+ community worldwide has increased access to HIV education, testing and compassionate care and make Elton's dream – to end AIDS in his lifetime – a reality."

Supporters can contribute to this $300,000 match commitment to the Elton John AIDS Foundation by making a donation at www.ejafrocketfund.org.

About The Rocket Fund

The Rocket Fund is a targeted initiative to supercharge the Elton John AIDS Foundation's mission to reach those most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, including young people, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people who use drugs. The Rocket Fund supports programs addressing the health inequity, stigma and discrimination that enables HIV/AIDS to continue to flourish. By supporting groundbreaking programs and partners working directly with communities and governments, the Fund will enhance access to health resources like testing and medicine; fight discriminatory and dangerous laws; and empower those most at risk to take control of their health through prevention and information.

The Foundation launched this critical initiative on June 5, the day in 1981 when the Centers for Disease Control released its first report on what would become the AIDS epidemic. This inaugural Rocket Day commemorates the early days of the fight against HIV/AIDS, while committing to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS for all.

About the Elton John AIDS Foundation

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world. The Foundation's mission is simple: an end to the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keep us from ending AIDS. With the mobilization of our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local experts across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent infections and provide treatment as well as influencing governments to end AIDS. www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/