amfAR : Cinema Against AIDS Toronto - The Carlu (September 15, 2009)
A highlight of the evening was a solo piano set by legendary Canadian recording artist and Grammy Award Winner Sarah McLachlan, featuring her hits "Adia" and "Angel."
Following McLachlan's performance, event chair Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, spoke of her personal experiences meeting children orphaned by AIDS and reminded the crowd of the transformative power of human kindness. Dignitas co-founder Dr. James Orbinski echoed the Duchess' sentiments and underscored the power of activism and basic research in the fight against AIDS. Dr. Orbinski encouraged guests to remain hopeful, noting that last year new HIV infections decreased for the first time since the start of the epidemic. Orbinski asked the film community to celebrate their part in this accomplishment through their continued fundraising commitment.
During the live auction led by Matthew Penstone, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, helped to sell a dream ski vacation in the French Alps, including personal ski instruction from world champion skier Manu Gaidet and a week's stay for up to twelve guests in one of the world's most luxurious private chalets, La Compagnie. The package, donated by La Compagnie and Manu Gaidet, sold for $150,000. Event chair Miranda Richardson auctioned off a London Fashion Package featuring a guided shopping tour with fashion icon Bronwyn Cosgrave and a four-night stay at the Savoy Hotel, for $10,000. Michelle Yeoh closed the auction with an exclusive lot of Cartier LOVE bracelets, donated especially for Cinema Against AIDS Toronto. Yeoh hoped that "20 friends" would join her in solidarity in the fight against AIDS, and 26 guests, including Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, quickly took this opportunity to show their support. Toronto-born R&B singer Deborah Cox closed the evening with two songs and elicited cheers from the crowd.
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