Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday was
honored for her work helping those affected by HIV/AIDS.
The former first lady and secretary of
state accepted the first founders award from the Elton John AIDS
Foundation at its annual event in New York City.
“[W]e still have so far to go,”
Clinton said about eradicating the disease. “There are so many
challenges in front of us.”
She added: “I thank you, but I know
there's more for us to do. Humans may discriminate, but viruses
don't.”
(Related: Hillary
Clinton announces global fund to support gay rights.)
The event, which raised $3.45 million,
was attended by Billy Joel, Alec Baldwin, Lisa Marie Presley and
Courtley Love and included a performance by Heart. Today
anchor Matt Lauer hosted the event.
Speaking to the AP, John said: “I've
always been a big Hilary fan. I hope she's the next American
president. I hope she runs. She's a great human rights campaigner
for people of color, for people of sexual orientation. She's right
up there amongst the leading people in the world. And I admire her
greatly. And we just want to say thank you for helping us. She's
made our fight easier by being such a staunch supporter of [the fight
against] AIDS and people's human rights.”