Bono is widely recognized for his musical prowess as well as his commitment to fighting AIDS in Africa. He co-founded the anti-disease and poverty advocacy group ONE and the organization (RED), which collaborates with businesses to combat AIDS, and according to Bono, raises between $180 million and $200 million a year.
In a 2011 interview with TIME’s managing editor Rick Stengel before World AIDS Day, Bono said the world has made great strides in fighting the disease, in large part because of contributions from the U.S. “Five million lives have been saved around the world because of American leadership,” he said, adding that activists often forget to show their gratitude when successes are made. “We are almost shocked when people start to agree with us. I think it is important for me to come back and thank people because I don’t think it happens enough,” he said.
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