Activists & Reformers · Late 20th Century
Ryan White’s Last Words
“I want to fight. I'm going to fight.”— Ryan White, April 8, 1990
Who Was Ryan White?
Ryan White contracted HIV through a blood transfusion and became a national spokesperson for AIDS awareness after being expelled from school.
The Final Moments
White died in Indianapolis with his mother Jeanne and family after hospitalization for respiratory failure.
Are These Words Verified?
His mother Jeanne documented his fighting spirit in her accounts and interviews, though the exact phrasing of final words varies slightly across sources. The sentiment is consistently reported by those present.
Sources
- biography Mother Jeanne White-Ginder accounts
- newspaper Contemporary news coverage
- other Ryan White Story documentary
Legacy
The Ryan White CARE Act, the largest federally funded HIV/AIDS program in the U.S., was named in his honor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Ryan White’s last words?
“I want to fight. I'm going to fight.”
How did Ryan White die?
Ryan White died on April 8, 1990 at the age of 18. Cause of death: AIDS complications.
Were Ryan White’s last words documented?
His mother Jeanne documented his fighting spirit in her accounts and interviews, though the exact phrasing of final words varies slightly across sources. The sentiment is consistently reported by those present.
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