Ron Woodroof

Ron Woodroof

American AIDS activist

Ron Woodroof

Name	Ron Woodroof
Birth name
Birth date	February 3, 1950
Birth place	Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Death date	September 12, 1992(1992-09-12) (aged 42)
Death place	Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation	Electrician, AIDS activist
Years active
Organization
Known for	Founding the Dallas Buyers Club
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Ronald Dickson Woodroof (February 3, 1950 – September 12, 1992) was an American AIDS activist and the founder of the Dallas Buyers Club. Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the mid-1980s, Woodroof began seeking alternative treatments to combat the disease, which led to his establishment of the Dallas Buyers Club, an organization that provided unapproved pharmaceutical drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Early life

Ron Woodroof was born in Dallas, Texas, on February 3, 1950. He worked as an electrician before his diagnosis. Little is known about his early life and education.

Diagnosis and activism

In 1986, Woodroof was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and was given a prognosis of 30 days to live. At the time, treatment options were limited, and the only approved medication was AZT, which had severe side effects. Dissatisfied with the available treatments, Woodroof began researching alternative therapies and smuggling unapproved drugs from other countries.

Dallas Buyers Club

In 1988, Woodroof founded the Dallas Buyers Club, a cooperative that distributed experimental and non-FDA-approved drugs to people with HIV/AIDS. The club operated on a membership basis, where members paid a fee to access the medications. Woodroof's efforts provided a lifeline to many individuals who were desperate for treatment options.

Legal battles

Woodroof's activities brought him into conflict with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies. He faced numerous legal challenges and raids, but he continued to fight for the right to access alternative treatments. His activism highlighted the need for more compassionate and flexible drug approval processes.

Legacy

Ron Woodroof's story gained widespread attention and was later adapted into the 2013 film Dallas Buyers Club, in which he was portrayed by actor Matthew McConaughey. The film brought renewed focus to the struggles faced by people with HIV/AIDS and the importance of patient advocacy.

Death

Ron Woodroof died on September 12, 1992, in Dallas, Texas, from complications related to AIDS. He was 42 years old.

See also

• HIV/AIDS in the United States
• AIDS activism
• Dallas Buyers Club (film)