Henry Nicols
Encyclopedia
Henry Joseph Nicols was born with the genetic disease haemophilia
and later acquired HIV and AIDS
from one of the more than 400 blood transfusion
s he received as a child.
Early in the AIDS epidemic in 1984 Nicols' family discovered that he had been infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The family did not disclose Nicol's infection in their small rural community of Cooperstown, New York, seeking treatment instead more than 200 miles away in New York City, where a child with AIDS might attract less attention. In 1991, when Nicols was diagnosed with “full blown” AIDS and was told he had less than two years to live, he decided he should not keep his condition a secret any longer.
In the first ever planned disclosure in the United States of an American school student with AIDS, Nicols, with the help of then Cooperstown School Superintendent Douglas Bradshaw, made plans to reveal his illness to the Cooperstown community. On March 8, 1991, Nicols went public, holding a press conference at which he discussed his condition and declared that he would use his illness as a leadership project to earn the coveted Eagle Scout
award from the Boy Scouts of America
.
Unlike those who had preceded him, such as Ryan White of Kokomo, Indiana
, and the Ray brothers from Arcadia, Florida who were shunned by their communities, Nicols was embraced and protected by his hometown of Cooperstown, New York. Nicols went from being an unknown and secret AIDS patient to becoming a local hero and an international AIDS advocate. He was featured on the cover of Parade Magazine, had stories written about him in People Magazine and numerous other news journals. He was a featured guest on Good Morning America and other national news broadcasts and was interviewed by CBS news anchor Peter Jennings
during a TV special on AIDS. Nicols used his new found notoriety to advocate for compassion and understanding for all those afflicted with AIDS. Nicols completed the requirements to be an Eagle Scout and was awarded the Eagle Scout Badge in July 1991. He was awarded the first ever Ryan White Award by the National Hemophilia Association, testified before Congress and met with New York Governor Mario Cuomo
and Arnold Schwarzenegger, then Presidential Physical Fitness Advisor to George H. Bush. Nicols also met with Presidents George H. Bush, and William Jefferson Clinton to discuss AIDS related issues. Nicols was awarded an honorary Bachelors degree from The University of Scranton
in 1992. He was awarded the Caring award in 1992 by the Heart of America Foundation
and Nicols and his family were featured in the 1993 HBO documentary Eagle Scout: The Story of Henry Nicols. Nicols, his sisters Jennifer and Diana and his parents traveled around the United States and the world to set up AIDS support groups. They worked in Ireland, Canada and Japan and met with university students in 42 states in the United States to educate and support those with AIDS.
As Nicols' illness progressed and his health began to fail he traveled less and less and, in the Spring of 2000 on his way to a Boy Scout weekend, Nicols had a one car accident, striking a tree. He died 11 days later at the age of 26. There are several monuments to his memory in Cooperstown, New York where his family still lives.
A biography of Nicols, Henry for President has been written by his father. ISBN/EAN13: 1438230923 / 9781438230924
He is remembered by many as having enlightened people that HIV can be contracted by anyone.
Haemophilia
Haemophilia is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body's ability to control blood clotting or coagulation, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken. Haemophilia A is the most common form of the disorder, present in about 1 in 5,000–10,000 male births...
and later acquired HIV and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
from one of the more than 400 blood transfusion
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
s he received as a child.
Early in the AIDS epidemic in 1984 Nicols' family discovered that he had been infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The family did not disclose Nicol's infection in their small rural community of Cooperstown, New York, seeking treatment instead more than 200 miles away in New York City, where a child with AIDS might attract less attention. In 1991, when Nicols was diagnosed with “full blown” AIDS and was told he had less than two years to live, he decided he should not keep his condition a secret any longer.
In the first ever planned disclosure in the United States of an American school student with AIDS, Nicols, with the help of then Cooperstown School Superintendent Douglas Bradshaw, made plans to reveal his illness to the Cooperstown community. On March 8, 1991, Nicols went public, holding a press conference at which he discussed his condition and declared that he would use his illness as a leadership project to earn the coveted Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
award from the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
.
Unlike those who had preceded him, such as Ryan White of Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States, Indiana's 13th largest city. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Howard and Tipton counties....
, and the Ray brothers from Arcadia, Florida who were shunned by their communities, Nicols was embraced and protected by his hometown of Cooperstown, New York. Nicols went from being an unknown and secret AIDS patient to becoming a local hero and an international AIDS advocate. He was featured on the cover of Parade Magazine, had stories written about him in People Magazine and numerous other news journals. He was a featured guest on Good Morning America and other national news broadcasts and was interviewed by CBS news anchor Peter Jennings
Peter Jennings
Peter Charles Archibald Ewart Jennings, CM was a Canadian American journalist and news anchor. He was the sole anchor of ABC's World News Tonight from 1983 until his death in 2005 of complications from lung cancer...
during a TV special on AIDS. Nicols used his new found notoriety to advocate for compassion and understanding for all those afflicted with AIDS. Nicols completed the requirements to be an Eagle Scout and was awarded the Eagle Scout Badge in July 1991. He was awarded the first ever Ryan White Award by the National Hemophilia Association, testified before Congress and met with New York Governor Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
and Arnold Schwarzenegger, then Presidential Physical Fitness Advisor to George H. Bush. Nicols also met with Presidents George H. Bush, and William Jefferson Clinton to discuss AIDS related issues. Nicols was awarded an honorary Bachelors degree from The University of Scranton
University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private, co-educational Catholic and Jesuit university, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the northeast region of the state. The school was founded in 1888 by Most Rev. William O'Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. It was elevated to a...
in 1992. He was awarded the Caring award in 1992 by the Heart of America Foundation
Heart of America Foundation
The Heart of America Foundation is a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC which has a national focus on community, service, and literacy.-About:...
and Nicols and his family were featured in the 1993 HBO documentary Eagle Scout: The Story of Henry Nicols. Nicols, his sisters Jennifer and Diana and his parents traveled around the United States and the world to set up AIDS support groups. They worked in Ireland, Canada and Japan and met with university students in 42 states in the United States to educate and support those with AIDS.
As Nicols' illness progressed and his health began to fail he traveled less and less and, in the Spring of 2000 on his way to a Boy Scout weekend, Nicols had a one car accident, striking a tree. He died 11 days later at the age of 26. There are several monuments to his memory in Cooperstown, New York where his family still lives.
A biography of Nicols, Henry for President has been written by his father. ISBN/EAN13: 1438230923 / 9781438230924
He is remembered by many as having enlightened people that HIV can be contracted by anyone.