What if the simple act of going to school became a battleground? For Ryan White, it did, turning his young life into a symbol of courage and a catalyst for change in the face of ignorance and fear surrounding AIDS.
Ryan White's story is not just a medical narrative; it's a human drama played out against the backdrop of the 1980s AIDS crisis. Born at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Kokomo, Indiana, to Hubert Wayne and Jeanne Elaine (Hale) White, Ryan's life took an unexpected turn almost immediately. The routine procedure of circumcision revealed a worrying inability to stop bleeding. At just three days old, he received a diagnosis of severe hemophilia A, a hereditary blood coagulation disorder linked to the X chromosome. This meant that even minor injuries could result in life-threatening bleeding episodes.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ryan Wayne White |
| Date of Birth | December 16, 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Kokomo, Indiana, USA |
| Date of Death | April 8, 1990 |
| Cause of Death | AIDS-related complications |
| Parents | Hubert Wayne White, Jeanne Elaine (Hale) White |
| Sibling | Andrea White |
| Diagnosis | Severe Hemophilia A (early childhood), AIDS (December 1984) |
| Activism | Advocate for AIDS awareness and patient rights, challenged school discrimination |
| Legacy | Ryan White CARE Act (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act), raising awareness and reducing stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. |
| Related Individuals | Elton John (close friend and supporter) |
| Sister | Andrea White |
| Mother’s Profession | Worked at Delco Electronics Corporation |
| Sister's profession | Teacher in Florida, Actress (briefly) |
| Reference | hiv.gov - Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program |
