Charlie Sheen Secretly Supported HIV & AIDS Charities For Decades
Nov. 17 2015, Published 6:56 a.m. ET
Years before The National ENQUIRER revealed Charlie Sheen's HIV diagnosis, the actor secretly devoted himself to supporting charities connected to the cause, RadarOnline.com has learned.
Indeed, although the 50-year-old actor has hidden his diagnosis from the public, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned that has also been a huge supporter of the cause for almost 30 years.
In 1987, Sheen befriended Ryan White, an Indiana teenager who became a national spokesperson for AIDS awareness after being infected with AIDS through a blood transfusion for hemophilia. At a time when stigma crippled the efforts to raise awareness, Sheen proudly supported The Ryan White National Fund, which was the first national organization aimed specifically at combating prejudice against the incurable disease.
Nearly twenty years later, Sheen became a major supporter and donor for Aid For AIDS in 2006. In 2009, he was honored with the AFA Angel Award by at the 25th Silver Anniversary Reception.
Aside from his huge financial contributions, the veteran Hollywood superstar has done a lot of charity and volunteer work to generate funds for organizations such as Los Angeles's annual Best In Drag Show, which raises approximately $250,000 each year for AIDS assistance in California.
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However, even as Sheen supported such huge organizations to raise funds and awareness, his personal struggle was kept hidden until Monday, when The National ENQUIRER broke details of a huge cover-up scandal.
Sheen's explosive interview with Matt Lauer on Today is set for tomorrow morning.
More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV or AIDS. If you are worried about HIV, get in touch with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Did you know that Charlie Sheen supported HIV & AIDS organizations since 1987? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.