Who was Ryan White?

Ryan White was 13 when he was diagnosed with AIDS after a blood transfusion in December 1984. Living in Kokomo, Indiana, doctors gave him six months to live. 

When Ryan tried to return to school, he faced AIDS-related discrimination in his Indiana community. Along with his mother Jeanne White Ginder, he rallied for his right to attend school. He gained national attention and became the face of public education about the disease.

Surprising his doctors, Ryan lived five years longer than expected. He died in April 1990, one month before his high school graduation. Congress passed the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act in August 1990.

What is the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program?

The Ryan White Program is a federally funded program that helps coordinate comprehensive medical care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The program is an early intervention service program designed to help improve the quality and availability of primary healthcare for those with HIV/AIDS.

Nationally, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program works with cities, states, and local community-based organizations to provide primary medical care and essential support service to more than half a million people each year. People living with HIV who have no insurance or are under insured can receive the HIV medical care and other support services they need. The program also provides funding to assist with the cost of providing outpatient medical care and related services for individuals living with HIV.

Who is eligible to participate in the Ryan White Program?

Any individual with a documented diagnosis of HIV or AIDS living within our 10-county service area in South Carolina of Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens and Saluda.