Positive Light Shines on Leprosy After Diana Concert

The Leprosy Mission has revealed that last Sunday's Concert for Diana has elevated the profile of leprosy, often regarded as a forgotten disease, and sparked discussion at a level unseen since Diana died.

The international Christian organisation is one of the charities that benefited from the proceeds of the star-studded Concert for Diana.

From 1990 until her death in 1997, Princess Diana was Patron of The Leprosy Mission. Recognising that the stigma associated with leprosy was ill-founded; she tried to dispel the myths surrounding the disease by visiting hospitals and touching patients.

"The Leprosy Mission remembers Diana's contribution as we continue to fight stigma and care for people affected by leprosy, even after they no longer have the disease," said a spokesperson for the Christian charity.

Representatives from the charities with which Princess Diana was associated with were invited to a memorial service to be held in London in August.

Over 60,000 people gathered in London's Wembley Stadium last Sunday to honour the life of Princess Diana, 10 years after her death. Hosted by Princes William and Harry, the event also marked what would have been Princess Diana's 46th Birthday. British stars such as Joss Stone, Take That, and Rod Stewart took to the stage during the six-hour show.

Princess Diana died on 31 August 1997, along with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and their driver when their Mercedes crashed inside the Pont d'Alma tunnel in Paris with media photographers in close pursuit.