Since the mid-1980's, Elton John has channeled the grief over the loss of many dear friends to HIV/AIDS into various efforts to help raise money for charitable organizations supporting AIDS research and providing vital services to people with HIV/AIDS. In 1992, frustrated and angered by the growing magnitude of the epidemic and how comparatively little was being done to help those affected by the virus, he decided to bring focus to all of his AIDS-related work by establishing the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in the United States (EJAF-US, registered in New York). The following year, he also established this foundation in the United Kingdom (EJAF-UK, registered in London).

Today, EJAF is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Together, both entities have raised over $150 million to support such programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception. EJAF supports its work through proceeds from concerts, arts-related exhibitions, and special events; cause-related marketing projects and licensed merchandising; and voluntary contributions (large and small) from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

EJAF-US's grant-making supports programs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. EJAF-UK focuses its grant making on projects in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Without question, EJAF's greatest asset and strength is its Founder and Chairman, Sir Elton John. No mere figurehead, Sir Elton serves as EJAF's chief fund-raiser - conducting benefit concerts, meeting with major donors, foundations and corporations, and participating in numerous public events. Also, as a highly visible and outspoken advocate, he has testified before Congress, spoken at press conferences, writes editorials and delivers speeches at events and awards ceremonies. His status as an entertainment icon and his many years as a dedicated AIDS activist and philanthropist bring tremendous visibility and credibility to EJAF's work.

For information on grant-making and fund-raising activities conducted by EJAF-US, please visit www.ejaf.org. For information on grant-making and fund-raising conducted by EJAF-UK, please visit www.ejaf.com.

  In December 2001, eltonjohn.com received an Email suggesting an annual charity event to support EJAF. The message was from Nancy Case, and in March 2002 she hosted the first ever Lunch Around The World (LATW) event. Her concept was simple but splendid: get together with your friends around the time of Elton's birthday and raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The idea appealed to many of Elton's fans around the world, and since then LATW has grown and grown. eltonjohn.com and the EJAF thank everyone who has organised, attended or contributed to these events. We are especially grateful to Nancy for thinking up the idea, for hosting her own events and for maintaining an LATW overview, and to all the other LATW organisers from all around the world. So far the fantastic sum of over $140,000 has been raised through LATW events and given directly to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

If you would like to host an event in your country and raise money for the EJAF, please contact Editor@website.eltonjohn.com. We encourage you to start with a small event, have some fun and raise money for this important cause. Then if you and your friends enjoy it you can hold another event next year!

Here are the confirmed Lunch Around the World events that are set to happen later this year. If you can get to one of these events do contact the organisers - they would love to hear from you!

Saturday, October 11, 2008 
"Fifth Annual Lunch Around the World Manhattan Style"
An afternoon of LATW fun followed by a visit to see Billy Elliot The Musical on Broadway
For further information please contact Jim or Susan: LATWNYC2008@yahoo.com

Saturday, October 18, 2008 
"Sixth Annual Lunch Around The World Palm Beach County" at the Palm Beach Zoo
Please contact Nancy: shadechase@aol.com.

Report on the Sixth Annual Lunch Around the World in Mexico City 

Congratulations to Mexican Rocket member Patty Perrín, who has overseen her sixth fundraising theatrical Lunch around the World event to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation. As in previous years, the Theater Production of La Dama de Negro (The Woman in Black), along with the production at Rafael Solana theater and the Elton John Mexico community, helped to raise money for the EJAF in Patty's now traditional event, Lunch Around the World in Mexico City. This year around US$1,182 has been raised.

Patty reports, "On Sunday, April 1, 2007, Alejandro Tommasi, Rafael Perrín and Benjamín Rivero (cast of the play), encouraged the audience at the end of the performance to donate funds for 'this very important Foundation created by Sir Elton John to support people affected with AIDS. The actors also donated their own money to the EJAF and the crowd of the Foro Shakespeare Theater gladly contributed to this cause. The total amount obtained with the support of La Dama de Negro was 9,148 Mexican pesos ( around 832 US dollars).

At the same time another Mexican theater company joined forces for this annual event. The well-known actresses Susana Alexander and Blanca Sánchez (from the Cómo Envejecer con Gracia production), also asked to their crowd in the Rafael Solana theater to collaborate. Thanks to them, another 2,512 Mexican pesos (around 228 more dollars) were added.

And besides that, the Elton John Mexico community donated another 1,340 Mexican pesos (around 122 more US dollars) to reach exactly the great total of: 13,000 Mexican pesos or approximately US$1,182.

That is why, I really want to say THANKS to the people who were really involved in this dream come true: Bruno Bichir and Itari Martha (Foro Shakespeare Theater), Antonio Calvo (La Dama de Negro producer), Rafael Perrín (La Dama de Negro director and actor), Alejandro Tommasi and Benjamín Rivero (La Dama de Negro cast), Juan Torres and Guillermo Wiechers (Cómo Envejecer con Gracia producers), Susana Alexander and Blanca Sánchez (Cómo Envejecer con Gracia cast), Pilar Colín (Rafael Solana Theater), Rodrigo Salazar and Mónica Galarza (producer asistents from La Dama de Negro and Cómo Envejecer con Gracia), Margarita Mtz. Tornel, Alma Yolanda, Lupita Carcaño and Nadya Muciño (money collectors in both productions), Emilio Morales (Public Relations from La Dama de Negro) and, at last, but not at least, very special thanks for the selfless support of the Ser Humano Foundation crew and to Graciela de la Rosa for her inspiration!

Finally there is more good news as La Dama de Negro Theater Company has informed me that they are completely sure they will give continued support to the EJAF."

Gus Dudgeon, who died on 21st July, 2002 aged 59, was an outstandingly talented record producer best known for his phenomenally successful collaboration with Elton John.

In 2002, following his untimely death, it was decided that Gus’s extraordinary standards in both music production and genuine loving helpfulness should live on in the form of The Gus Dudgeon Foundation For Recording Arts. Following this announcement, Elton John agreed to be its Patron.

The Gus Dudgeon Foundation has been formed to preserve and promote the techniques of recording and production exemplified in Gus’s outstanding career and to give students from all walks of life the opportunity to learn and pass on these skills for future generations.

To learn more about the Gus Dudgeon Foundation, please visit the Web site here.