British pop icon Annie Lennox shocked the crowd as she performed “Chain of Fools” with soul legend Aretha Franklin last night. Some fans who tuned into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert on HBO on Sunday became worried about Annie’s health after taking a glimpse at the singer’s t-shirt, which read “HIV POSITIVE” in blarring letters.

Don’t worry — Annie hasn’t been diagnosed with the virus that causes AIDS. The t-shirt is a part of the musician’s on-going campaign to help raise awareness about the impact

Annie Lennox has never claimed to be HIV Positive. Without secure information from her or her personal physician there is no way to be 100% sure.

Annie Lennox's 'HIV POSITIVE' black t-shirt shocked fans at her recent American Idol related appearance - despite the fact that it wasn't the first time she'd worn it on stage. In November, Annie sported her black tee with the controversial words in huge white letters when she performed with Aretha Franklin.

She had recently worn a "HIV Positive" t-shirt on stage at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert which has led to the speculation that she was herself infected. Again she has never claimed being infected with HIV.

Anne Lennox is deeply involved in her SING project and was using the controversial tactic of wearing the "HIV Positive" t-shirt to promote awareness in the area of women and children suffering with AIDS.

No, fans were reassured yet again, Lennox isn't HIV positive - she's just passionate about helping those who are. The Scottish singer / songwriter and gay icon has long been an advocate for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.

During her Idol Gives Back appearance, Lennox made a point of introducing a four year old little girl with HIV and pneumonia, whose mother had died from AIDS, leaving her an orphan. She spoke about the impact AIDS and HIV have on the helpless and vulnerable, and urged others to support the cause.

Annie has big plans for her charity work in 2010; she and The SING Campaign will be supporting the Love Is All We Need Dinner and Auction on World AIDS Orphans Day, 7th May 2010.

According to the Love is All We Need website, the SING campaign was started by Lennox when she heard Nelson Mandela describe the African HIV pandemic as ‘genocide’, targeting mainly women and children. She has already raised 2 million dollars, and is expected to talk at the dinner about her ongoing battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as her experiences in South Africa.

“Access to treatment is a basic human rights issue. People do not have to die from AIDS,” Annie insists.

The funds from the dinner and auction will buy food and medicine for projects run by Love Is All We Need in the Sweetwaters Community in South Africa. Reports claim there are over 5,000 orphans in Sweetwaters, and at least 40% of the community's inhabitants are HIV positive. Statistics posted on the Love is All We Need website reveal that:

* Every 15 seconds a young person aged 15-24 contracts HIV.
* Every minute a child under 15 dies of an AIDS related illness.
* 56 million people are currently living with HIV in South Africa.
* 50% of children born with HIV die before the age of 2.
* Half of all pregnant mothers in South Africa are HIV positive, but with treatment their children can be born HIV free.


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