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    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, organizers said on Monday.

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

    “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 organization that raises funds for people living with HIV.

    Last year, the ball generated US$2.1 million for Aids charities.

    (SD-Agencies)