20 Years Later, Elton John Pens Letter to Ryan White

By Nadine Cheung Posted Apr 23rd 2010 02:20PM

Elton John has written a letter to his friend, Ryan White, who died from AIDS on April 8, 1990, at age 18. In the letter, published by the Washington Post, the international pop star expresses both grief and sorrow, but reminds readers of the strides HIV/AIDS researchers have made in the two decades since the death of the Indiana teen.

"Twenty years ago this month, you died of AIDS," John begins. "I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you, the friend who changed my life as well as the lives of millions living with HIV. Instead, I have written you this letter."

White, who contracted the HIV virus through a blood transfusion, drew attention to the disease after being expelled from school because of his infection. Despite the media attention he received during his public fight with the virus, John recalls that White was a young man of uncommon grace, and credits him with bringing awareness to the issue, which, he says, ultimately changed the prognosis for people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S.

"Ryan, I wish you could know how much the world has changed since 1990, and how much you changed it," he continues. "Young boys and girls with HIV attend school and take medicine that allows them to lead normal lives. Children in America are seldom born with the virus, and they no longer contract it through transfusions. The insults and injustices you suffered are not tolerated by society."

"Most important, Ryan, you inspired awareness, which helped lead to lifesaving treatments. In 1990, four months after you died, Congress passed the Ryan White Care Act, which now provides more than $2 billion each year for AIDS medicine and treatment for half a million Americans."

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=873612&pid=873611&uts=1272047005

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Elton John Snapshots

Elton John performs in concert at The Frank Erwin Center on April 10 in Austin, Texas. Check Out More Photos >>

Gary Miller/FilmMagic.com

FilmMagic.com

Elton John Snapshots

In this photo provided by Fox, Sir Elton John performs at "Idol Gives Back 2010" on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci/PictureGroup/Fox) ** MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT **

Elton John Snapshots

In this photo provided by Fox, Sir Elton John performs at "Idol Gives Back 2010" on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark Davis/PictureGroup/Fox) ** MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT **

Elton John Snapshots

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2009 file photo, Elton John attends the Elton John AIDS foundation "An Enduring Vision" benefit, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)

Elton John Snapshots

Elton John performs at the Sears Centre Arena on April 15, 2010 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Elton John In Concert - April 15, 2010 Sears Centre Arena Hoffman Estates, IL United States April 15, 2010 Photo by Lyle A. Waisman/WireImage.com To license this image (60177377), contact WireImage.com

Elton John Snapshots

Musician/vocalist Sir Elton John (R) and musician Davey Johnstone perform in concert at The Frank Erwin Center on April 10, 2010 in Austin, Texas. Elton John In Concert - Austin, TX The Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX United States April 10, 2010 Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic.com To license this image (60126999), contact FilmMagic.com

Elton John Snapshots

Musician/vocalist Sir Elton John performs in concert at The Frank Erwin Center on April 10, 2010 in Austin, Texas. Elton John In Concert - Austin, TX The Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX United States April 10, 2010 Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic.com To license this image (60126974), contact FilmMagic.com

Elton John Snapshots

Although much has changed since White's death, John adds that "hundreds of thousands" of people are still living with HIV/AIDS and nearly the same number of people do not know they have it. He writes of the the social and political parameters of the disease, adding that President Barack Obama's National HIV/AIDS Strategy was promised, but has "not yet been delivered."

"Today, countless people with HIV live long, productive lives," John says. "It breaks my heart that you are not one of them. You were 18 when you died, and you would be 38 this year, if only the current treatments existed when you were sick. I think about this every day, because America needs your message of compassion as never before."

John is the founder and chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which supports HIV prevention programs and provides direct care and services for people living with HIV/AIDS. On April 28, John will perform at 'A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Ryan White' at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, Ind.

Tags: Elton John, Ryan White

Comments

(17)

Friday 23 April

By btywht

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

God rest your soul precious Ryan....

By skye

Wow, Ryan died 20 years ago? I remember it like it was last year. Sir Elton is a wonderful man dedicated to this cause and keeping Ryan's memory alive. I love this man.

By krissmmy

The world has changed because of Ryan's struggles in the small town of Kokomo, Indiana. One young man who made such a difference for all.

By mike poteat

Elton John is a musical genius and an outstanding humanitarian. He gives musicians a good name. Annie Lennox is another one who needs to be honored for her selfless giving to this cause. Bless them both

By Lalatalk

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I love you Elton John! You have used your fame and fortune in such a PHENOMENAL and POSITIVE way. I wish more celebrities and musicians would follow your lead and live their life the way you have. You have set a great examplt to ALL!
God bless you.

By nicstarnic

Vote down Vote up Report this

Rest In Peace Ryan

VERY MOVING & SINCERE .............God Bless Elton John

By JIM LANE

LONG LIVE ELTON! BUT YOU LOOK ANGRY A LOY OF TIMES!

By Joel Kent

Ryan White lives on through all that he struggled to make known in regard to the disease that people really did not understand. It would be awesome for him to be here and see all of the changes that he helped enact, the effect that he had on changing social outlook in these matters. He was so far ahead of his time, we miss you and we applaud your making a difference for those still with us. If we look at this correctly you are still with us , just in a different way. Thank you for making a differenece for us when you were here, and now watching over us while you are in heaven. Rest in Peace my friend, I feel as if I really knew you, when we never even met.

By Rose

lets not forget michael jackson did the ryan white aids thing also. He wrote the song gone to soon. He also asked former presedent clinton to help with the aids foundation when he sang in his honor the [song gone to soon].and god bless Elton John also for doing this in memory of Ryan White.

By Kelly Hayward

Elton you have the biggest HEART and god rest Ryan soul.I love you Elton

By Kathi

My heart was with Ryan all the way through his ordeal. It made me sick the way fellow humans treated him. He just wanted to live, be happy and make his Mother proud. I went to see the Monument that Micheal Jackson and Elton John had made for him and it was Beautiful, I put my hands on it and I could feel how happy it made Ryan. I was filled with such emotion that it just put a smile on my face. Ryan was at Peace.

Saturday 24 April

By Magali Carver

My son is named in memory of Ryan White. RIP. Ryan, you were also an inspiration in me choosing nursing as a career.

By Ines

Ryan was the inspiration for Michael Jackson's song "Gone too soon", God rest their souls!

By Marsha

Gosh how time flies. It really doesn't feel like it's been 20 years. How wonderful it is that Ryan still inspires after all these years. Even though they didn't know too much about the disease at that time, Michael Jackson with his big heart and infamous kindness took Ryan and his family into his home at Neverland Valley Ranch to make his last days as pleasant as it possibly could've been.

Monday 26 April

By Jason Hill

I wanna be the first to volunteer to put this old queen out of his misery.

Saturday 01 May

By slf

I was 12 when Ryan became not only an angel in heaven but an angel to all the ones who suffer from HIV and AIDS. i still to this day have ever picture and article from all the magazines that published anything to do with Ryan and his fight.I still remeber his funeral like i was right there. Elton John in a saint and what he did for Ryan and his family and what he is still doing right now for the people who are still suffering is amazing. RIP Ryan White. You are an insperation to all that have the diease and are fighting everyday. I believe your fight gave them life.

Tuesday 04 May

By Karmen Taylor

I had a son die from aids at age 23. It has been 20 years now. I still can not sleep a full night. No one came to me with sincere regards. He was my first born. Elton John is one of my favorite pop entertainers, and has been for years. right now I am fighting foreclosure on my residence. Of course, if this happens, I will just be another senior woman on the street. What to do next?

Page 1 of 1