R.I.P. Ted Kennedy

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago joins the world in mourning the loss of Sen. Ted Kennedy.  Senator Kennedy was passionate about the health of all Americans, and his bravery and tireless support of the HIV/AIDS community will never be forgotten. Writer and AIDS advocate Steven Petrow said shortly after the senator’s death, “For those who don’t remember the darkest days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a plague that would fell hundreds of thousands in this country alone, there were no treatments and no hope. No hope that is, except for Senator Edward M. Kennedy.”

In 1990, Sen. Ted Kennedy led the fight to pass the Ryan White Care Act, giving hope for the first time to thousands of people struggling with HIV/AIDS by offering life-saving and life-extending health care.  Hundreds of thousands of people are alive today due do to the Ryan White Program and today, it is helping over 500,000 people in the United States.  

Senator Kennedy’s long-standing dream was to provide comprehensive, preventative health care for all United States citizens. The greatest thing that Congress, and all Americans, can do to honor Sen. Kennedy is to pass meaningful health reform this year.  Please help us honor Sen. Kennedy’s cause by voicing your support for health care reform.