It's bike-riding time again!

Nine years have passed since I took part in the California AIDS Ride, a seven day bike trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles that raised money for people living with HIV and AIDS.  Many of you will remember that I trained and raised money for this event in both 2000 and 2001.  Over the years, the California AIDS Ride has evolved into a new entity called the AIDS/LifeCycle.  The riders, the beneficiaries, and the spirit of the event remain the same, however, just as the HIV epidemic continues to mature and change so to must the efforts for combatting its spread and putting an end to AIDS.

On a personal level, my part in this evolution has grown as well.  Whereas in the past I rode as someone affected by HIV, now I ride as someone infected with HIV.  Three years ago I tested positive for the disease and it seems that my life once again turned upside-down.  It's hard to express succinctly the degrees of fear and shame I began to face in response to this medical diagnosis.  Why me?  Who should I tell?  Who shouldn't I tell?  What's going to happen now?  It was terrifying.

In time, however, I've grown to see my HIV status in a new and more compassionate light, a feat which makes this upcoming bike ride look almost trivial (but not completely).  Understanding the details of how best to live with this infectious disease, navigating insurance hurdles in New York and California, and confronting prejudice both inside and out have all been hard fought battles, and in all cases, bringing awareness to the situation has proved most effective.

So, now I'd like to bring some of this awareness to you in hopes that it might catch on, expand, and evolve. The AIDS/LifeCycle, or ALC, is a 545 mile bike ride benefiting the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.  Organizations like these are literally lifesavers to people living with HIV and are helping to put an end to AIDS.  Please join in the fight by donating whatever you can.  Click on the "Donate to Support Winston" link to the right.  Every little bit helps!   I've set a new goal of raising $10,000 which I hope to surpass.  Together we'll help to save lives.

All my best,

Winston

getwinston@gmail.com

917-207-6229