Ryan Lewis' Mother is HIV Positive; Macklemore Producer Starts Foundation >>Hollywood

Ryan Lewis - the hip hop producer best known for his work with Macklemore - revealed today that his mother is HIV positive.

Lewis made the announcement today via Twitter in a statement that also includes a link to donate to the 30/30 Project - an HIV/AIDS research charity that he founded with help from Macklemore. 

In his statement, the Grammy winner revealed that his mother contracted the illness after receiving a blood transfusion in 1984.

At that time, little was known about HIV and Julie Lewis' prognosis was grim. She pulled through, however, and the name of Ryan's foundation is a tribute to his mother's 30 years of survival.

Lewis concluded his statement by saying, "I am honored to be the first donor to the 30/30 Project...I am asking you to join my family and see how far we can take this."

AIDS research has progressed significantly in recent years with doctors suggesting a cure for HIV may be possible in the near future. Naturally, further research is still required and treatment for current victims remains a pressing concern.

So while some hip hop stars busy themselves lint rolling their pants at basketball games, Ryan Lewis and Ma