Ryan Lewis honors mom on World AIDS Day
Grammy Award-winning producer Ryan Lewis paid a touching tribute to his mom, who is HIV-positive, in honor of World AIDS Day on Monday (01Dec14).
Macklemore's frequent collaborator has long been a supporter of HIV/AIDS charities since his mom was diagnosed with the virus in 1984 after receiving a blood transfusion.
Lewis took to Instagram.com on Monday to not only acknowledge his
mom's unwavering battle, but the millions of others around the
world who have also been affected by the disease.
He wrote, "When my mom was diagnosed with HIV, doctors only gave
her a few years to live. I was 6 years old. 30 years later she is
still alive. She's alive because she's strong and has always been a
fighter. And she's alive because she had access to medicine and
care that can manage her disease. She's been lucky.
"Today, on World AIDS Day, we remember the 39 million people who
have died from AIDS since the disease was first recognized in the
early 1980's. And for the 35 million people still living with HIV
or AIDS, we continue to work for better access to the medicine and
treatment that too many go without. If we can help people across
the world get the kind of medicine and care that my mom has
received, we can change lives."
In April (14), Lewis launched a fundraising campaign called the
30/30 Project to build health centers around the world for those
living with HIV and AIDS. Through the money donated to the cause,
they have built five clinics, including a new one opening in Neno,
Malawi, the progress of which was shared in the accompanying video
on Instagram.
Lewis first revealed his mother was HIV positive in a 2013 Rolling
Stone interview, during which he revealed the lawsuit over the
transfusion put him through college.