13 March 2023  Gery Keszler is internationally known for initiating the legendary 'Life Ball' in 1992 dedicated to raising awareness of HIV infection prevention and supporting the funding of AIDS treatment and cure research. Designers, couturiers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood or Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana worked together with the ball as well as celebrities from different fields like politics, music, film or fashion like Bill Clinton, Elton John, Charlize Theron or Vivienne Westwood and Naomi Campbell, who took the stage as celebrity guests to support charities and therapy research. Today, HIV is more treatable with new medications and the awareness of how to protect oneself and others is part of the common consciousness.
The last Life Ball took place in 2019. Just two years later, the Gery Keszler association 'Life+' launched a new project which will be continued this year in April.
The situation of large sections of society has deteriorated in recent years. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine and economic inflationary pressures are just the tip of an iceberg that is steadily growing.
The gap between rich and poor has grown despite political strategies aimed at reducing the divisions in society. In response to the pandemic and the social consequences, the first campaign 'Österreich hilft Österreich' was launched in 2020 and continued in 2021 by the ORF in cooperation with aid organizations.
Already in 2021, the Gery Keszler association Life+ supported the funding activities of 'Österreich hilft Österreich' and organized a Life Ball-like bombastic event under the name 'Austria For Life' on 28 May 2021 in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral (YouTube video).
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