Elton John Remembers Ryan White at AIDS Benefit Concert

By Zach Haberman

04/28/2010 at 12:45 PM EDT

It has been 20 years since Elton John was a pallbearer at his friend Ryan White's funeral. But the music legend has never forgotten the impact the brave teenager had on educating the world about living with AIDS.

In memorial to White, who died at age 18 in 1990 of complications from the disease, the music legend will perform Wednesday night at a fundraiser for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

"Ryan dedicated his life to helping future generations of children," his mother, Jeanne White-Ginder, said in a statement. "This event will celebrate Ryan's life and his efforts to fight against AIDS discrimination, as well as to help continue his efforts of education."

White contracted the disease after a blood transfusion – and he became a symbol of hope during a time when fear and misconceptions about AIDS were prevalent.



For more information about the cause, visit Ejaf.org.

FROM 1990: Here is the moving, untold story of the final hours of Ryan White, the boy whose battle with AIDS touched America's heart

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