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Our history

1990

Indiana teenager Ryan White dies of AIDS. His friendship with Ryan inspires Elton John into action.

Black and white photo of Elton John and Jeanne White standing together beside Ryan White's hospital bed, who was diagnosed with AIDS after a blood transfusion in 1984.

1992

Elton establishes the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Elton John speaks to the Foundation's mission at a podium that reads 'Elton John AIDS Foundation'.

1999

The World Health Organization announces AIDS is Africa’s number one killer, with 33m HIV infections and 14m AIDS-related deaths.

Young women getting tested for HIV at a healthcare facility in Africa.

1999

The Foundation funds palliative care in Africa to support 800,000 people to die with dignity and help 300,000 children orphaned by AIDS.

Elton John comforts holds and comforts a baby while a nurse attends to them during a visit to a Children's hospital in South Africa.

2002

Elton testifies before U.S Congress pleading for more funds to fight the global AIDS epidemic – the world’s 4th largest killer.

Elton John passionately testifies to the US Senate to advocate for more action in ending AIDS.

2003

President Bush creates the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) the biggest fund for health in history.

President Bush shakes hands standing in front of a banner that reads 'Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief'.

2006

WHO sets guidelines to reduce new mother-to-child HIV transmissions by 90% by 2015.

A mother who has been supported by the Elton John AIDS Foundation's work looks lovingly at her young child who she is holding.

2012

A landmark clinical trial finds that effective medical treatment also prevents 96% of onward transmissions of HIV.

A family representing different generations gathered together during a visit from the Elton John AIDS Foundation and our partners in India.

2015

The Foundation aggressively funds HIV testing for more than 20m people and links 250,000 to safe medication.

Young man receiving an HIV test while out at a gay nightclub, promoting safe and responsible practices within the LGBTQ+ community.

2016

As new infections and the number of babies with HIV drop by half, other groups remain up to 20 times more vulnerable to HIV.

Mother who has been impacted by HIV looks lovingly at her young child.

2016

The Foundation launches a new $10m LGBT Fund with PEPFAR to reach gay men and other men who have sex with men in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean.

Large gathering with the National AIDS Control Council in Kenya. Front row of community members stand in a line together, holding hands, and singing.

2018

Elton and the Duke of Sussex announce the MenStar coalition at AIDS 2018 in Amsterdam aimed at diagnosing HIV in young men in sub-Saharan Africa to break the HIV cycle.

Elton John And The Duke Of Sussex Launch The Menstar Coalition To Promote HIV Testing and Treatment

2018

The Evening Standard Christmas campaign in aid of the Foundation raised over £3.5m for AIDSFree Cities.

Elton John holds up an oral HIV test.

2019

Elton John meets President Macron to receive Legion d’Honneur for his commitment to HIV/AIDS.

Group picture after Elton John received the Légion d'Honneur from president Emmanuel Macron for his commitment to ending AIDS.

2019

RADIAN: a partnership between the Foundation and Gilead for $25m is announced aimed at preventing, diagnosing and treating HIV in vulnerable groups in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Elton John in an embrace while visiting the work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

2020

The COVID-19 Emergency Fund launches to provide extra support for vulnerable communities.

Bridget Kandela, a 34-year-old nurse, stands outside the consultation room at the Men’s Health Clinic in Kabwe.

2021

Breakthrough, a partnership with Walmart launches to change the course of HIV in the US South.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation join the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Walmart for a free HIV testing event at a Walmart store in Atlanta.

2023

We launched The Rocket Fund, our $200M fundraising campaign to accelerate our mission, with supporters embracing their inner Elton to help drive awareness.

Dolly Parton letting her Inner Elton out in an iconic Elton-inspired white outfit, in support of The Rocket Fund

2023

The Elton John AIDS Foundation attended its first London Pride march.

David Furnish points towards the crowd at London Pride, wearing a black top that says 'End Stigma Now'.

2023

Elton John was honoured at a reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS at the Speaker’s House in recognition of his commitment to ending the AIDS.

David Furnish and Anne Aslett stand beside Elton John at Parliament in the UK. They are wearing red AIDS ribbons.

2024

The Foundation, Elton John and David Furnish celebrated the inauguration of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, organized by Pride Live.

2024

The Elton John AIDS Foundation and Gilead Sciences announced a $25 million, five-year extension, of our RADIAN partnership to address the HIV crisis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Daniel O’Day, Chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences and Anne Aslett, CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, meeting with staff at the Almaty City AIDS Centre who are responsible for running outreach services for key populations living with or at risk of HIV.

2025

Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection that has been proven to reduce HIV risk by at least 96% was approved by the FDA. The Foundation started collaborating with organizations to ensure the successful introduction when it becomes available early 2026.

2025

The Elton John AIDS Foundation announced two new pilots in England designed to improve access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Close up of a hand holding a blue PrEP tablet.