The presenting sponsor in 2015 for AIDSWatch, the largest constituent-based HIV advocacy event in the United States, will be The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), according to a statement by AIDS United, which organizes the event with the Treatment Access Expansion Project (TAEP) and the U.S. People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Caucus. AIDSWatch 2015 will take place in Washington, DC, April 13 to 14.

The event gathers hundreds of HIV advocates from across the country to educate members of Congress about the legislative priorities and resources needed to help bring an end to the epidemic. Participants are provided with current knowledge about the virus and related policy developments. They also are trained to improve their advocacy skills. After training, participants meet with members of Congress and their staff.

“My stepmother Elizabeth Taylor often traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for HIV/AIDS causes over the last 25 years of her life,” said ETAF ambassador Kate Burton, who also is an actress starring in the ABC political drama Scandal. “ETAF is very proud to be the presenting sponsor of AIDSWatch 2015, an event which resonates with the same compassion for helping others that she showed during her time on Capitol Hill.”