Lunch Around the World began in 2001 as a way for Elton John fans to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in association with EltonJohn.com. The idea has grown from a fan email from Nancy Case into a worldwide effort to promote fund raising and awareness for the Foundation. To date, Lunch Around the World events have raised nearly $200,000.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations supporting innovative HIV/AIDS prevention education programs and direct care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Since its founding, EJAF has raised over $125 million to support worthy programs in 55 countries around the globe. EJAF supports its work through proceeds from special events, cause-related marketing projects, and voluntary contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

All of the programs and efforts funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation revolve around five themes: Women & Children, Positive Lives, Livelihoods, Vulnerable Groups and Innovation.

Worldwide, the Elton John AIDS Foundation focuses on a variety of objectives, including:

• Providing information about HIV/AIDS to over 150 million people around the globe, including 5 million children
• Giving 185,000 people with AIDS in South Africa, often dying alone and in pain, proper palliative care
• Putting 10,000 adults on antiretroviral treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Supporting more than 57,000 people in need to access income generation programmes, vocational training, grants or loans
• Enabling over 200,000 people living with HIV/AIDS to be supported through positive people’s groups & networks