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21st Anniversary of the Ryan White CARE Act

August 19, 2011 by Tom Thayer in News, Political with 0 Comments

The story of Ryan White is one that needs repeating……with Aug 18 being the 21st anniversary of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.  It is the largest federally funded U.S. program for people living with HIV/AIDS.   It was named for the late Indiana teenager with AIDS whose advocacy brought information about the disease into the mainstream, the CARE Act currently funds support services for more than 500,000 low-income, under-insured and uninsured people with HIV/AIDS.

Ryan White (December 6, 1971 – April 8, 1990) was an teenager from Kokomo, IN who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS in the US, after being expelled from middle school because of his infection. A hemophilia, he became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment and, when diagnosed in December 1984, was given six months to live. Doctors said he posed no risk to other students, but AIDS was poorly understood at the time, and when White tried to return to school, many parents and teachers in Kokomo rallied against his attendance. A lengthy legal battle with the school system ensued, and media coverage of the case made White into a national celebrity and spokesman for AIDS research and public education. 

We all know the horrible stigma & ridicule he faced in school and the towns.  The young man stood tall & defied the odds until his passing on April 1990 before he could graduate & go to the prom.  I encourage you to check out wikipedia about his story.  Because of Ryan White, his legacy has led to so many changes that assist people today with medications & education.  We honor his memory and the Ryan White CARE Act Anniversay.

Tom Thayer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_White

http://www.poz.com/articles/CARE_21st_Anniversary_1_21000.shtml

 

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