Honoring Ryan White 20 years later

Twenty years later, and the fight continues.

Three speakers, including Ryan White’s mother, will speak Friday at the Indiana Memorial Union on the history of HIV and AIDS education. White died 20 years April 8.

White was an Indiana teenager who contracted HIV through tainted blood products given to him for hemophilia.

He gained national recognition for advocating HIV and AIDS education and for his anti-discrimination efforts after he was expelled from school because of his illness.
He died a few months prior to his enrollment at IU.

The event is sponsored by the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention and the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

The sponsors also recently established the Ryan White Legacy Scholarship to be given to students pursuing a master of public health degree in the School of HPER, with preference to those studying HIV and AIDS prevention or sexual health.

“This educational event is to commemorate the legacy of our Indiana native son, Ryan White, and to also illustrate how AIDS education has dramatically evolved since Ryan’s death,” said William Yarber, senior director of RCAP, in an IU press release.
“Each speaker at this event has something insightful and inspiring to say about how Ryan’s life, and his death, have influenced a nation and the world.”

Watch President Obama sign the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Act in October 2009 alongside White's mother.

Learn who Ryan White was and the movement he inspired with this YouTube video: Remembering Ryan White: 20 Years On.