In 1991, AHF- with the sponsorship of Century Cable Television- organized the AIDS Cablethon. This was a three-hour long live program cablecast through over 60 cable systems throughout California. It was the first production of its kind in the nation. Its purpose was to raise much needed funds for the medical care of people living with HIV/AIDS and AHF’s two hospices. With live interviews, performances, and PSA’s, the Cablethon spread information on AHF and the work they did to help those living with HIV/AIDS.
A multitude of celebrities participated in the event including Joan Rivers, Gregory Harrison, and Marlee Matlin, among many others. The Cablethon picked up hundreds of thousands of dollars more than expected, and AHF credited that to Magic Johnson. Many of the pledges came in the amount of $32 in honor of the basketball player who had just announced that he had tested positive for HIV. He wore No. 32 for 12 years with the Los Angeles Lakers. Overall, this AHF Cablethon raised $1 million dollars for their cause.
The AHF Cable/Telethon would be held for two more years, moving from cablecast to telecast for its first Telethon in 1992. It was broadcasted through Southern California on KCAL. Celebrity participants included Edward James Olmos, Anna Mare Horsford, Joan Rivers, Scott Bakula, Dixie Carter, Sharon Gless, Elvira, and KCAL News Anchor Pat Harvey.
In its last year, the AHF Telethon raised $1.6 million. A highlight of the telethon was actress Liza Minnelli introducing a new song in English and Spanish about AIDS, “If Not Tomorrow, Then The Day After That,” one of its first appearances on local or national TV. By 1993, the AHF telethon remained the only telethon for AIDS in the nation. AHF continues to fundraise using a variety of avenues, including the annual Florida AIDS Walk, AIDS Walk Atlanta, and the World AIDS Day concerts.
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