Ada, Oklahoma - Results are in from the American Foundation for AIDS Research’s, (AMFAR), congressional international conference. Former Adan John O. Crane is connected to one of the few world winning organizations this year.

Co-founded by legendary superstar, Elizabeth Taylor, AMFAR is headed by president Kenneth Cole, an international fashion designer. Worldwide chapters met Dec. 17-18 before the United States congress in Washington D.C., in an effort to persuade congressional leaders of the need for continued funding and necessary support of this cause.

AMFAR, in agreement with the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Research, (PEPFAR), managed directly by President Obama, singled out the only Latin American chapter to be recognized this year, V.E.S. (Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C.) of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Julio Madrid, the executive director of VES of P.V., was praised for his unwavering leadership in his country and was given the historic honor of being the first Mexican to ever receive the prestigious MSN HIV Prevention Award. During September 2010 Madrid was also a peer reviewer in Panama and was bestowed the MSN Initiative Award for Central and South American organizations issued by AMFAR.

“I have dedicated my life to this cause (HIV/AIDS prevention and victim aid). We have helped improve the lives of many, yet we still have so much further to go. It is only through the joint effort of those in each and every country that we are able to attain positive results. Funding and the commitment of great individuals who honestly care, like John (Crane) and so many others, are what moves us forward and closer to reaching our goals,” said Madrid.

Originally from Ada, John Crane, the former event site coordinator for VES of Puerto Vallarta, is no stranger to helping others. Crane has been connected to charity work most of his life.

“As a child in Ada, I collected money for St. Judes hospital and I also went from door to door collecting for the annual UNICEF telethon that K-TEN used to broadcast out of Ada. As I matured and realized the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS, I knew I had a moral responsibility to do my part, but more than that, I knew I had the God given abilities and the heart to help. My grandmother, Vera “Re” Beck Self, and my mother, Gayle Self Crane, were my role models and the greatest examples of humanitarians in my life so maybe it is in my blood. Also, I am an Okie at heart. Helping and caring is what we Oklahomans do best,” Crane said.

Crane has coordinated, emceed, and entertained at numerous charity fundraisers and benefit shows in the USA, Europe, and Mexico, raising thousands of dollars toward research for HIV/AIDS, assistance for the victims, and for other causes as well. He is a 1989 graduate from Ada High School and studied at the University of Oklahoma.

For the past two years, Crane has lived in Mexico, working toward fulfilling his lifelong dream of completing his first novel, while dedicating as much time as possible to international philanthropic causes.

Other organizations he is, or has been, involved with include: the Winds House of Witchita, Kan., UNICEF, St. Jude’s Children hospital, SPCA of Puerto Vallarta (an animal rights organization), HRC, Meals on Wheels, and Relay for Life. Crane was also named as the Humanitarian of the Year 1996 by the Witchita Pride organization. Crane and his family are members of the Southwest Church of Christ in Ada.

To donate to amFar go to: amfar.org. To help locally in the state of Oklahoma go to RainOklahoma.org or aidforaids.org.