MAC make-up makes millions for Aids charity

Nov 29 2007 by Emma Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE MAC store in Liverpool’s Metquarter is teaming up with the Terence Higgins Trust to mark World Aids day on December 1.

Local celebrities, including members of the Hollyoaks cast, will be offering their time to help raise money for the MAC Aids Fund by helping to sell MAC’s Viva Glam lipsticks and lipglasses in the store.

The fund was born in 1994 – with American drag queen and music performer RuPaul as the inaugural spokesperson – to support men, women and children affected by HIV/Aids globally.

Since then, some of the world’s most famous and glamorous have rushed to support the fund – each promoting their own colour of Viva Glam lipstick including KD Lang, Mary J Blige, Sir Elton John, Shirley Manson, Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Boy George, Linda Evangelista, Chloë Sevigny, Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, Debbie Harry and Lisa Marie Presley.

The current faces of the MAC Aids Fund are R&B artist Eve, and burlesque star Dita Von Teese, who were recently at MAC’s New York store to reveal that, to date, it has raised an incredible $100m.

“The celebrities who have joined us over the years embody the spirit of MAC and the MAC Aids Fund – Every Race, Every Sex, Every Age,” says Fund Chairman and MAC President John Demsey. “By bringing these new faces to VIVA GLAM, we have been able to keep not only the brand but the cause fresh for consumers, helping to drive the MAC Aids Fund to new levels.”

Over the past 13 years, the MAC Aids Fund has been a pioneer in HIV/Aids funding, providing financial support to organisations working with under-served regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, it strives to raise awareness of four key issues in the fight against HIV/Aids: prevention, the link between poverty and HIV/Aids, access to care, and adherence to medications and treatments.

It is among the early funders of sometimes-controversial programmes, like prevention education for sex workers in India and needle exchanges for street youth in Russia.

MAC Viva Glam lipsticks and lipglasses will be in the Liverpool store priced £10.50 and £11 respectively, and all of the money goes to the fund.