Jeanne White Ginder's Letter to Ryan White
HIV/AIDS Program Grantees

August 2006

Dear Attendees,

I love that this program is named the Ryan White CARE Act and that my son continues to have an impact on helping people. That makes me very proud. But we run the risk of forgetting those who got others to listen and care about HIV/AIDS. And so I want to say something about them.

Over 20 years ago, I was a Christian girl from a small town in Indiana in search of information about anything I could do to make Ryan well. And I started meeting people, mostly gay men, whom I had never met before in my life. Just like Ryan and me, they were looking for answers and dying. I met their mothers and fathers and they were just like me, hoping to save their children. What we faced was discrimination and fear and panic. The sad part was trying to get people to listen. But we did.

Many people made this program happen to help people with HIV/AIDS get care. They turned an idea into a law through energy and heartache. Most are no longer here.

But you are here and your work matters. Thank you for the impact that you make.

Sincerely,

Jeannie White Ginder