Ryan White (1971

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Ryan Wayne White (December 6, 1971 – April 8, 1990) was a young man from Kokomo, Indiana who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS, after being expelled from school because of his infection. A lifelong hemophiliac, he became infected with HIV from a tainted blood treatment in 1984 and was given six months to live. Though doctors said he posed no risk to other students, AIDS was poorly understood at the time and when White tried to return to school, many parents and teachers in Kokomo rallied against him. A lengthy legal battle with the school system ensued, and media coverage of the struggle made White into a national celebrity and spokesman for AIDS research. He appeared frequently in the media with celebrities such as singer Elton John, pop star Michael Jackson and talk show host Phil Donahue. Surprising his doctors, White lived five years longer than predicted and died shortly before completing high school in April 1990.

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His legacy

Ryan's Legacy
White was one of a handful of highly-visible AIDS-victims in the 1980s and early 1990s, who helped change the public perception of the disease. White, along with actor Rock Hudson, was one of the earliest public faces of AIDS. Along with later public figures who became associated with HIV/AIDS, like the Ray brothers, Magic Johnson, Kimberly Bergalis and Freddie Mercury, White helped to increase public awareness that HIV/AIDS was a significant epidemic.

Numerous charities formed around White's death. The Indiana University Dance Marathon, started in 1991, raises money for the Riley Hospital for Children. Over the past 17 years, this event has helped raise over $5 million for children at Riley. The money raised has also helped found the Ryan White Infectious Disease Clinic at the hospital to take care of the nation's sickest children. White's personal physician, with whom he was close friends, Dr. Martin Kleiman, became the Ryan White Professor of AIDS Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. In a 1993 interview, prominent gay rights and AIDS activist Larry Kramer said, "I think little Ryan White probably did more to change the face of this illness and to move people than anyone. And he continues to be a presence through his mom, Jeanne White. She has an incredibly moving presence as she speaks around the world."

In 1992, White's mother founded the national nonprofit Ryan White Foundation. The foundation worked to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS-related issues, with a focus on hemophiliacs like Ryan White, and on families caring for relatives with the disease. The foundation was active throughout the 1990s, with donations reaching $300,000 a year in 1997. Between 1997 and 2000, however, AIDS donations declined nationwide by 21%, and the Ryan White Foundation saw its donation level drop to $100,000 a year. In 2000, White's mother closed the foundation, and merged its remaining assets with AIDS Action, a larger charity. She became a spokeswoman for AIDS-action and continues to arrange speaking events through the site devoted to her son, Ryan White.com.

White's death inspired Elton John to create the Elton John AIDS Foundation. White also became the inspiration for a handful of popular songs. Elton John wrote "The Last Song" which appears on his album The One in Ryan's memory. Michael Jackson dedicated the song "Gone Too Soon" from his Dangerous album to White, as did '80s pop star Tiffany with the song "Here in My Heart" on her New Inside album.

Ryan's Photo Album

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This memorial website was created by Dale Miller on 01/19/2008.
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Ryan can live forever, as long as we never forget him.

Audio & Video

	321_Contact! "I Have AIDS, A Teenager's Story"
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Memorial Candles

	Britney Brinson lit a candle on 07/23/2008: "Ryan I read your book in middle school and was sadden by the way people treated you. Your legacy now lives on. RIP"

	Tara Bourassa lit a candle on 07/14/2008: "Ryan will always be remembered. 18 years later, I cry when I hear "Candle in the Wind."

	Dale Miller lit a candle on 07/14/2008: "I wish I could have met you, but now I'll never forget you."

	Jeff Jones lit a candle on 05/18/2008: "Ryan I thank God for allowing you to be a Special Part in All of our lives every day,"

	TERESA WEATHERBY lit a candle on 05/03/2008: "Ryan, you inspired me so much i wish i could have met you i would not have been afraid to hug you at all"

	Dale Miller lit a candle on 04/08/2008: "Ryan, it's been 18 years since you walked this Earth, but nothing shall ever remove you from my thoughts."

	Dale Miller lit a candle on 04/08/2008: "I pray that you find all the comfort and acceptance, in Heaven, that you so bravely fought for, while here on Earth."

	Dee Rushforth lit a candle on 03/29/2008: "Ryan, You left this world to something much greater and have touch so many lives here in Cicero. God blessed you."

	Sue Daughter To Angel Art Polon lit a candle on 03/14/2008: "Ryan u truly amazed me when I saw u on tv what an awesome young man. We should all learn from U. Bless U precious angel"

	Barbara lit a candle on 02/18/2008: "I light this candle in memory of a beautiful person. God Bless you Angel"

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