It is the American way,
to give back and help
W
e liked him in Gimme a
Break! and Blossom, and
now we like him in the ABC
Family Original series Melissa and
Joey, airing this summer. However,
there is yet another good reason why
we like Joey Lawrence even more. It’s
because of the time he has taken in his
life to get involved with the various
organizations including the Elizabeth
Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. An
organization that seeks to prevent
pediatric HIV infection and to eradi-
cate pediatric AIDS. They do this
through research, advocacy of preven-
tion and treatment programs.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids
Foundation continually fights for the
rights of children living with HIV, who
were forgotten in the early days of the
pandemic. Through work with policy-
makers, the Foundation has built
upon Elizabeth’s legacy by expanding
funding for pediatric research.
“The fact that children are born into
this world with aids just tears me apart
because they didn’t choose this in life;
it’s the innocence of it all,” Lawrence
says.
Lawrence also works with the
American Cancer Society, a founda-
tion with chartered divisions
throughout the country and over
3,400 local offices. The American
Cancer Society (ACS) is all about the
~Joey Lawrence
By Rita Cook
commitment to fight cancer through
balanced programs of research,
education, patient service, advocacy
and rehabilitation. Noting that these
two organizations are his true passion
at the moment, Lawrence also adds, “I
believe there is a cure out there and
that we are close to finding it.”
Lawrence began working with both of
these organizations because as a
public figure he can make a difference.
“The highlights are going and visiting
with the kids and giving back as much
as I can. There is not much more I can
do, except give my voice, and share my
passion to find an end to this.”
Working with both the Elizabeth
Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation and
The American Cancer Society has
made Joey feel more complete as a
person. “Just being able to lend a hand
and my heart to others.”
“Seeing the joy on the children’s faces
when you come to spend time with
them and bring them surprises to
open,” he says. “It truly brings tears to
my eyes.”
Lawrence is Executive Producer on his
new project Melissa and Joey, and
this is his first time back on television
in 10 years.
He says he is glad to be back in the
public eye, and with his new role on
television more attention can be
brought to his business and philan-
thropic work.
“I hope that I have showed maturity,”
he says. “I have grown up with my
fans, therefore it’s a natural pro-
gression to now play roles of
characters in their early 30’s. It’s
exciting to finally be able to play the
roles I grew up admiring, by the actors
I looked up to.”
Lawrence, grew up in Philadelphia,
PA; spending his childhood and
graduating from high school there. It
wasn’t until 1996 that he officially
moved to Los Angeles, but even today
he says, “I honestly don’t feel like I
identify with LA in terms of energy
and what it ultimately represents. All
my values and beliefs came from
Pennsylvania. A big night out, when I
was growing up, was simply going to
the movies; it definitely kept me real. I
had as normal of a childhood as
possible, and I consider it a huge
blessing.”
Feeling good about his life, he believes
the most important thing is working
with charities and giving back.
“It feels so good to help someone else,”
he says. “[Besides] it is the American
way, to give back and help. It’s our job
as Americans to do what we can.”
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