Rest in Peace, Natasha Richardson

You've probably seen the terrible news that actress Natasha Richardson has died tonight from injuries she suffered in a skiing accident two days ago, at the tragically young age of 45. I feel so incredibly sad for her family, especially her husband Liam Neeson and their two young sons. To lose a parent at such a young age has to be one of the worst things that can happen in life.

Natasha was incredibly beautiful and talented, but she was also a humanitarian. None of the U.S. based articles on her death that I've read so far have mentioned this, but The Guardian notes that she was on the board of amfAR, the AIDS research foundation, and they included a quote from an amfAR spokesman:

"Our hearts go out to her family. This is a catastrophic loss for them, and it is a terrible loss for amfAR and the fight against Aids. Natasha Richardson was a dedicated Aids advocate and an eloquent spokesperson for amfAR. She generously contributed her time and resources to amfAR for over 15 years. Natasha's passion for the cause and tireless efforts gave hope and inspiration to the scientists and healthcare workers on the front lines of this deadly epidemic, as well as to the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS around the world."

Natasha's own father, the film director Tony Richardson, passed away from AIDS in 1991, which no doubt played a role in her dedication to the cause.

This is a truly senseless loss.