Saving lives has become second nature to Canadian actress Sandra Oh in her on-screen role as feisty medic Christina Yang on hit show Grey’s Anatomy. But recently, TV's most striking doctor has been continuing that mission in her off-duty hours by attending an international AIDS conference in Toronto.
At the start of the forum 35-year-old Sandra unveiled a sculpture assisted by Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis. The opening ceremony also boasted musical performances from rock beauty Chantal Kreviazuk, as well as Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace and Amanda Marshall.
Also at the event was American heart-throb Richard Gere, who has focused energy on raising awareness of the disease in India through his foundation, Healing the Divide. Accompanied by his wife Carey Lowell, the actor spoke passionately about the need to reach young people. "In India, kids love cricket so we got cricket stars to do public service announcements and that really had a great effect," he commented.
Meanwhile, Grammy-winning AIDS activist Alicia Keys took to the streets of the city, joining a group of African and Canadian grandmothers, who have lost children to the disease and are raising their grandchildren, on a solidarity walk. "Grandmothers are the silent victims of this pandemic and it’s now I feel the silence has been broken and that it’s time to be heard,” said the 25-year-old singer.
Photo: Canadian Press
Photo: Canadian Press
