Celebrities celebrate awards night while combating HIV and AIDS

Nearly $4 million was raised at yesterday's Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Viewing Party, which will help fund HIV and AIDS research and prevention.

It has been 30 years since HIV was first observed by physicians in American patients, and a cure has yet to be found.

In 1993 Elton John stated that he would continue to hold the Academy Awards AIDS fundraiser until researchers develop a solution to the disease.

Celebrities who attended the event include Heidi Klum, Steven Tyler and Kim Kardashian.

A significant amount of profits were derived from bids on auction items such as a vacation stay in Elton John's Venice home and an opportunity to meet Taylor Swift and see the artist perform.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are 1.1 million cases of HIV in the U.S. and that about 21 percent of these individuals do not know that they are infected.

Those who are unaware of their HIV status are at a greater risk of spreading the virus to others and allowing the untreated infection to progress into AIDS.

Individuals who would like to be tested for HIV may consider using online testing services.