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Producer and Founder, Dance for Life

The average person isn't impressed with viewing a great performance in the back of a crowded theater. But to Keith Elliott, producer and founder of Dance for Life (DFL), it's the most gratifying place to be in the room.

"I get to look and see the whole theater packed," said Elliott. "And I know that everyone is coming together for the cause, which is to raise money for HIV/AIDS care, prevention and education. We're really able to put this money to some great use." DFL is an annual dance performance that brings together some of Chicago's best dance companies, including the Joffrey Ballet and Luna Negra Dance Theatre, to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS. The organization was started 16 years ago by a group of dancers who felt the need to help fight HIV/AIDS because it was killing many of their friends. According to estimates from the UNAIDS/WHO AIDS Epidemic Update, nearly 37.2 million adults and 2.3 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2006.

"Through our programs, we serve about five thousand people living with HIV and living with AIDS," said Mark Ishaug, president and chief executive officer for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "Everyday we make a difference, so everyday is satisfying." Since its inception, DFL has quickly become the Midwest's largest performance-based fundraiser and has raised over $3 million for various AIDS organizations. A great accomplishment, but to many more, work is needed. "We can end this epidemic," said Ishaug. "We need both the political will and the resources to do it, and hundreds of volunteers. There's no secret about how to end AIDS." -tarin harris


The AIDS Foundation of Chicago will have the AIDS Run and Walk Chicago on September 15 in Grant Park. If you're interested in volunteering, please visit www.aidschicago.org. For more information about Dance for Life, visit www.danceforlifechicago.com.

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