Ryan White was a spirited, bright kid who loved basketball, Nintendo and dreaming big. In 1984, 13-year-old Ryan contracted HIV through a contaminated blood transfusion used to treat his hemophilia.
With widespread misconceptions about HIV/AIDS dominating the headlines, and fear overruling facts, Ryan was barred from attending his school and driven from his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana. His harrowing story suddenly thrust Ryan onto the national stage, where he transformed the attention into a powerful force for changing perceptions about those living with HIV/AIDS.
He had no idea how far his message would reach. Yet he was determined to use it for the greater good. His courage inspired the creation of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which continues to help people across America, and around the world, stay safe and well.
At the time of his diagnosis, doctors gave Ryan only six months to live. On April 8, 1990, six precious years later, we sat together at Ryan's bedside and held his hands as he lost his young, heroic life to AIDS. First lady Barbara Bush attended his funeral, and businessman Donald Trump came to the family home to pay his respects.
When Americans needed to take compassionate action, Ryan opened the door and urged everyone to take heart and to help.
