Washington--Elton John forecast Wednesday the end of AIDS in his lifetime -- but only if the United States keeps leading the world in bankrolling its eradication.
The British pop music icon and AIDS activist was the star turn at a Senate hearing on future funding for the United States' core global AIDS initiative.
"The AIDS epidemic is not over and America's continued leadership is critical," the 68-year-old John warned.
"There is a window of opportunity before us, a window through which we can very clearly see the end of AIDS within my lifetime," he said.
"We cannot afford to let the window close if our efforts flag," added the founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised more than $321 million since 1992 for AIDS treatment and prevention.
"Drug resistance will surface, transmission rates will rise and this disease which knows no boundaries will once again become a ruthless pandemic with disastrous and far-reaching consequences."
John was speaking to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee who are considering funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) going forward.
AFP
