In addition to having sold over 250 million records, John is a vocal advocate of AIDS awareness whose namesake foundation has raised over million toward fighting the disease. Inspired by the bravery of Ryan White, a young Indianan who contracted AIDS via a blood transfusion, John embarked on a mission to educate others and eradicate the affliction. He admits that the fight against AIDS has been an uphill battle beleaguered by homophobia, ignorance, indifference, and stigmatization on the part of governments and citizens alike, and while he certainly isn't afraid to call out obfuscators, his aim is to make it clear that though treatments have come a long way, AIDS remains a very real threat to people around the world. Since 1992, the number of diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS has risen from 1.5 million to 34 million. But it's not all bad news—John highlights efforts made in Louisiana and New York that have made a real difference in the lives of patients, as did the Clinton Foundation's efforts to make drugs more affordable. Nevertheless, John insists that it will take a great deal of resolve and commitment on the part of citizens, governments, and corporations to put an end to the disease. This inspirational cri de coeur is sure to encourage those in the trenches and compel those on the sidelines to get involved. (July)