{blackbabes} Janet Jackson to grace Life Ball Aids charity: organisers

VIENNA (AFP) – American pop singer Janet Jackson will be present at the 19th Life Ball, an annual Aids charity event, in Vienna on May 21 -- 30 years after the disease was first discovered, organisers said Monday.

Jackson, the younger sister of pop icon Michael Jackson who died from an overdose of powerful anaesthetic in June 2009, will be present in her capacity as representative of the Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR).

"HIV/AIDS is a pandemic which requires our immediate and continued attention," the singer was quoted as saying in a statement.

"Combination therapy has made HIV a maintainable disease, but sadly, there is still no cure and it continues to spread at alarming rates. HIV/AIDS is a continuing hazard, both in the Unites States and abroad."

The Life Ball is held annually by AIDS LIFE, an independent non-profit organisation that raises funds for people living with HIV.

Last year, the ball generated 1.5 million euros ($ 2.1 million) for Aids charities.