May 24,2010
Hayden Christensen on “The Lazarus Effect”
Posted by DHN Editor with 20 Comments
By Hayden Christensen
Editors note: More than 20 million people have died of HIV/AIDS in Africa, despite the fact it is now a preventable and treatable disease. “The Lazarus Effect” campaign features dozens of celebrity artists helping to raise awareness of the value of 40 cents – the cost of antiretroviral medicine needed for people with HIV/AIDS in Africa to survive – by comparing trivial items worth the same amount (a stick of gum, a smear of lipstick, etc).
I recently went on a trip to Africa and came back with the need to get involved and help raise awareness about AIDS. I was familiar with the (RED) campaign and the remarkable work they have done and are currently doing and wanted to be a part of it. One of our initiatives is to raise AIDS awareness through “The Lazarus Effect.” This inspiring documentary airs tonight on HBO. If you miss it there, you can see it on YouTube afterwards.
“The Lazarus Effect” addresses one of the world’s worst epidemics—AIDS in Africa. It focuses on the transformative effect of antiretroviral medicine and shows us how someone who is severely suffering from AIDS can regain their health in as little as 40 days by simply taking two pills a day that only cost 40 cents. The narrative of the documentary is told from the perspective of patients and doctors who are battling AIDS in their every day life. The story that unfolds in this documentary does not focus on the devastation and despair, but on survival. It shows what the human impact of smart aid programs has been.
Just eight years ago there were only 50,000 people across the continent who could access ARV (antiretroviral) treatment as it cost over $10,000 a year. Treatment was virtually impossible since the majority of people living in Africa make less than $2 a day. At that time, AIDS was a death sentence and more than 6,000 people were dying each day from a preventable and treatable disease. Today, that number has been nearly cut in half. Thanks to the efforts of global health organizations the cost of these pills is less than $158 a year. This means that programs offering aid can afford to get them to the millions of people who are in need.
Three million people are on ARV treatment today in Africa, but there are still millions of people across the continent who don’t have access to the basic treatment needed to fight AIDS. They are dying, and the worst part is that treatment is available. This documentary shows what is possible when there is access to treatment.
I hope people watch the documentary and are inspired to help raise funds to support the incredible programs that ultimately save lives. I urge people to visit JOINRED.COM and learn how they can get involved.
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He makes me proud to be a fan. He’s so well spoken and caring.
I’m sure once more! This young handsome, kind gentleman is an Angel!…a gourgeous Canadian Angel!
i love hayden and i cant wait to see this documentary! i think its so cute that he wants to work for a very important cause!!!
EMERGENCY! ALL Hayden fans, write Myriad Pictures 3015 Main Street
Suite 400, Santa Monica CA 90405. They have signed Hayden to be the lead in “Genesis Code” and want to hear from fans (it gives them an idea of interest). PLEASE write a short note and tell them you are a fan and love his acting. Hayden will be so great in this movie!
I’m sorry, but, didn’t Rachel and Hayden accept a free luxury safari trip, worth 35K per person, from an AIDS foundation in Duabi a few years ago? And wasn’t part of them accepting that gift that they choose from a list of charitable foundations and each endorse one of them?
I mean, I don’t mean to sound negative, but, endorsing a charity is a small price to pay for a 70K gift. I’m sure Hayden cares about AIDS, but, I think you people are too quick assume that they are both involved in charities becasue it’s something they are passionate about, maybe they are, but this is part of a business agreement that was made years ago.
@ Rudi, I’ve lived in Hollywood my entire life and I’ve never heard of such a thing, why would they need fans to write to them if they’ve already hired him? That makes no sense to me.
Kim although you do have points, I would also remind you that the Duabi event that Hayden, Rachel, Tove and Peter attended was 2 years ago, most “gift vouchers” expire after one year.
It is quite possible that late last year when Rachel was photographed in Africa for “InStyle” that Hayden was also with her, after all he did say in quote he had been there recent.
May I also point out that Hayden has a very good reason to be involved in this campaign, with respect to family I won’t mention it, but reports are around.
Either way Hollywood people get LOTS of stuff for attending events, but did you also know they, at least in LA, have to declare it on their Tax?
As mentioned in various articles-the people who did the PSA donated time and name, and simply because we are here discussing this means that more people are aware because of Hayden’s involvement, not a bad trade off if it helps someone restore health, and live a better life.
Now go buy a “red” product and support a very worthwhile cause.
Is that 20 million people in like a year or all together?
If that’s true, I’d rather the $70K go toward actually helping people with medication and with education rather than to pay celebrities for a lavish trip they could afford anyway. So many charities are scams because they blow too much on overhead and not enough on the folks they are supposed to help. Even with the argument that investing $70K in attracting celebrity endorsements draws more attention-and possibly donations-than not, it’s still IMHO a big waste of money. People donate and buy stuff thinking their money goes toward those in need, not to pay for luxurious gifts to Hollywood actors.
Always look at the fine print to see what percentage of whatever you’re purchasing or donating actually goes toward the cause. There are a lot of groups online that monitor and rate charities. Check those out before you give anything.
I’m kinda sad to see people getting bent out of shape about Hayden actually doing something good with his name and trying to help out. Did you ever consider that maybe getting that $70k vacation package from the Dubai Film Festival might have helped him decide to get involved instead of paying him off? The package wasn’t from (Red) so it might not be a contractual obligation for him and more of a personal decision to get involved. He doesn’t lend his names to that many charities and its only when he feels that they’re important enough and (Red) certainly could have picked a higher profile person from their slew of high profile celebs in that PSA to be doing all the promotional stuff Hayden has been doing. Money might be involved, sure, but I’m more inclined to believe that he’s doing this because he’s a good guy and wants to help out any way that he can.
I think they ALL got paid because it was considered work guys. He did the good part from the kindness of his heart but I do think it was considered work. He is famous and last time I checked famous people weren’t free. I know it sounds cold but it seems celebs normally don’t do anything purely heartfelt like this unless it’s a disaster relief.
arent u guys supposed to be on Haydens side anyway? i mean this is a website made for people who love and worship this man! dont u want to do anything for him? not bash him down.
I’m more annoyed with the idea of a charity foundation wasting that much money on celebrities than anything else. I’m not saying Hayden is a bad guy or that he’s insincere. Based on what I’ve read, he’s hardly the first or last star to get this sort of thing from a charity. Some stars even DEMAND that charities pay for first class travel or private jets, stays in presidential suites, and all kinds of freebies before supporting a charity (which I find horribly wrong). The blame is on the charities who engage in this practice.
But was that expensive trip from (Red)? No, it was from the film festival that he attended in a country famous for shelling out obscene amounts of money. He’s getting paid to promote, sure, but I also think he’s doing this because he wants to do something. He admitted he has personal reasons for wanting to help so that’s more likely than money to be the driving factor behind his involvement.
If I ran a huge company or charity, I’d be more than willing to pay well known people to help promote the cause. And the first thing I’d do? I’d make sure that they are as passionate about the issues as I am. It’s a win/win situation. The cause gets much needed publicity, more people are inclined to watch a famous person as opposed to an “unknown”, and the celebrity gets paid for his time. None of it is unethical, immoral, or illegal. As for Hayden, I don’t think he’d get involved with anything of this sort if he didn’t believe in it and support it.
May I also point out it in regard to Dubai-that 100 gift bags were provided for certain people in attendance, 30 trips to Africa, 30 trips to India etc as well as a swag of other goodies. The bags had an average price of 100,000 and were provided by the PR/Marketing team for the event. As someone mentioned Dubai is a land full of expensive stores with a very rich background.
At “L” you are quite right, the safari trip had nothing to do with “Red” or anything that Hayden has done to bring notice with others, to a very worthy cause.
The charity behind the event that Hayden attended was AMFAR, so if you’re going to blame someone for shelling out the big bucks for celeb swag its most likely them.
At least someone has the knowledge to understand that thanks “L” this campaign has nothing to do with anything other than “Red”. AMFAR does things their own way, not to say they don’t try either but IMO “Red” is more aimed at the person on the street.
Hayden interview: http://video.globo.com/Videos/Player/Entretenimento/0,,GIM1270269-7822-HAYDEN+CHRISTENSEN+PROVA+QUE+TEM+ESTILO,00.html
Thank you Jessica!