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“Ryan White Memorial Award”

Date confirmed in “Los Angeles Times” (archived) (“announcement was made Tuesday [October 23, 1990]”)

“Los Angeles Times” (October 24, 1990) (archived)

Entertainers Michael Jackson and Elton John were selected as the first recipients of the Ryan White Memorial Award, which was named in the memory of the young AIDS victim.

The announcement was made Tuesday night at a gathering of Athletes and Entertainers for Kids at the newly opened Tiffany & Co. store on Rodeo Drive.

The award was created to remember the young AIDS victim, who spent the final years of his life telling adults and youngsters about the disease and fighting for his rights and the rights of others who contract the virus.

Among those attending the event were Ryan's mother, Jeanne, former Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Olympic gold-medal swimmer Greg Louganis.

Louganis, who had developed a close relationship with Ryan, said the youngster served as an inspiration to him.

"He really was so brave," Louganis said. "That really helped me. When I hit my head on the springboard in Seoul, Korea (during a dive at the Olympics), it was like if this was Ryan White, he wouldn't give up. I know he wouldn't. He was my strength for a time there."

The awards will be presented during a television show later this year.

“Associated Press” (October 25, 1990) (archived)

Singers Michael Jackson and Elton John have been named recipients of the first Ryan White Memorial Award. The award, which will be given next spring by Jeanne White, Ryan's mother, commemorates the stars' friendship and dedication to her son. Ryan died earlier this year at the age of 18 of complications from AIDS. White and her son lived in Cicero. "I'm very happy to continue Ryan's work," said White in announcing the award Tuesday at an Athletes and Entertainers for Kids ceremony in Los Angeles. "Ryan's desire was to help all young people through education and to learn to make better decisions concerning their lives for a better tomorrow." LA Lakers basketball star Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Olympic diving gold medalist Greg Louganis were among those who attended the charity event. One of Ryan's prized possessions was a car given to him by Jackson. John sang at Ryan's funeral and had kept a hospital vigil with the family in the days before the teen died. Ryan, a hemophiliac who contracted AIDS through blood-clotting products, won a court battle to continue attending public school in Indiana and spent his final years speaking on behalf of AIDS victims.