Ryan White: Then and Now

HIV services at Mercy Care are funded by the Ryan White program. But who was Ryan White, and where did it all start?

In 1984, when he was just 13 years old, Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS. As the American HIV epidemic first caught national attention in the early 1980s, little was known about the disease’s origins and fear dominated the discussion about its causes and spread. At the time, it was seen as a disease endemic to homosexuals. Unbeknownst to him and his doctors, Ryan had contracted HIV from a blood product used to treat his hemophilia – a condition he was born with.

Though doctors estimated Ryan would only live another six months from his initial diagnosis, he continued to live another 5 years – much of which he spent in and out of court fighting for his right to attend school and advocating to end stigma against HIV/AIDS. Ultimately, his fight gave way to the Ryan White CARE Act, which has since changed lives.

“I was labeled a troublemaker, my mom an unfit mother, and I was not welcome anywhere…Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me.”
– Ryan White in his testimony before the President’s Commission on AIDS (1988)

Fast-forward to 2019. Where are we now?

Across the country, health centers like Mercy Care have benefited from the Ryan White program, which is designed to parse out grants depending on the unique needs of the communities served. The two sections that Mercy Care receives – Parts A & C – benefit America’s hardest hit areas (A) and continuously build infrastructure through staffing, supplies and resources (C) so that these services continue to make an impact.

HIV is now preventable with PrEP, a daily pill for persons at risk that stops transmission, and it’s easy to keep living a normal life as HIV positive with proper medication management. Arguably, none of these advancements could have been achieved without the courage of the 13-year-old boy who fought stigma and paved a way for scientists, politicians and doctors to come together. The Ryan White program has built life-saving infrastructure across America and right here at Mercy Care.

“Individuals who need treatment, especially those who’ve been out of care, can benefit from coming in to Mercy Care. Whether you’re still unsure of your status or just recently diagnosed, getting tested is a way to take charge of your health. And we’ll work with you from there.”
– Patricia Parsons, Infectious Disease Services manager

——————————————————————————————

Fast Facts | Mercy Care 2018

1,409 total HIV tests completed.
728 HIV+ patients treated.
70% of patients virally suppressed.
229 patients that receive oral health services through Ryan White funding.

Read Ryan White’s full testimony before the President’s Commission on AIDS (1988).