Ryan White

Who was Ryan White?

Ryan White was born in 1971 with a blood disorder called hemophilia Hemophilia is a rare disorder in which your blood doesn't clot normally because it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors). If you have hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer time after an injury than you would if your blood clotted normally., which required him to be treated with a product made from donated blood called Factor VIII Antihemophilic factor VIII and von Willebrand factor injection is a combination product that is used to treat serious bleeding episodes in patients with a bleeding problem called von Willebrand disease (VWD). Tragically, the supply of Factor VIII Antihemophilic factor VIII and von Willebrand factor injection is a combination product that is used to treat serious bleeding episodes in patients with a bleeding problem called von Willebrand disease (VWD) in the early 1980s was contaminated by a formerly unknown virus called HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease.. At age 13, Ryan contracted HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. and subsequently developed AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease., a disease which was not well understood by the public and was thought by some to be highly contagious.

When Ryan was barred from returning to his school in Russiaville, Indiana due to his condition, he and his family filed a legal complaint against the school. This brought Ryan to America’s attention as the national media covered his struggle. Though Ryan was eventually allowed to return to school, the White family was the target of abuse and discrimination that eventually led them to move to Cicero, where Ryan was welcomed at Hamilton Heights High School. He and his fellow students at Hamilton Heights took on the mission of educating America about HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. and AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease.. In 1988, he spoke before the President’s Commission on AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease., and in 1989, a movie about Ryan’s life aired on television and was seen by millions. Throughout his illness, Ryan was an unstoppable advocate for AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. education and research, particularly addressing his message to children like himself and his classmates.

Ryan died in April, 1990, at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. His family, friends, and supporters have continued his legacy of activism in raising public awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease., fundraising for AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. research, and participating in projects like the Ryan White Letters Project, to help today’s students understand the complex history of the AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. epidemic and its impact.

Ryan and his mother Jeanne hugging