He was no more "innocent" than anyone else infected with the virus that causes AIDS. They were simply living their lives as they always lived them - whether or not you approve of their lifestyles - and they became unknowingly infected. Just like [Ryan White]. If we've learned anything from the horror of the epidemic, it should be that illness has nothing to do with guilt or innocence.

Ryan White may have died - and thousands of other hemophiliacs may die - because of that same inaction. Blood-banking officials and commercial firms processing the clotting factor used by hemophiliacs were warned in the first days of 1983 that the nation's blood supply appeared to be contaminated with whatever was causing AIDS. Yet, they chose not to hear the warning. Their insistence on conducting business as usual may have been as much a contributor to Ryan White's death as the government refusal to distribute clean needles has contributed to the infection and death of thousands of IV drug abusers.

When our grandchildren ask us to tell them about the AIDS epidemic, many of us will remember Ryan White, the AIDS patient we all loved. We will recall his indomitable spirit, his zest for life, his efforts to educate us about AIDS and, yes, we will remember his courage.