Ryan White was an ordinary teenager whose extraordinary fight against discrimination changed the course of HIV/AIDS care in the United States. Born in 1971, Ryan was diagnosed with AIDS when he was 13 years old, after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion to treat his hemophilia. When his Indiana middle school expelled him, driven by fear and misinformation about his illness, Ryan and his family fought back, taking his case to court and becoming national figures in the fight against HIV/AIDS stigma.

Ryan's courage in the face of hatred and misinformation helped shift public perception of HIV/AIDS, which was widely—and wrongly—believed to only affect the gay community. Despite facing harassment and even being forced to move, he used his voice to educate others, testifying before the U.S. government and advocating for better understanding and treatment of those living with the disease. His story gained national attention, leading to friendships with celebrities and widespread public support.

Ryan passed away on April 8, 1990, just months before Congress passed the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resource Emergency (CARE) Act. This landmark legislation, named in his honor, has provided life-saving medical care, medication, and support services to hundreds of thousands of people living with HIV for over three decades. Today, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program continues to be a cornerstone of HIV care in the U.S., ensuring that people with HIV—regardless of income or insurance status—receive the treatment they need to live longer, healthier lives.