Today we crossed the goal
$20,100.00 is an amazing amout of suport and giving I am so grateful and humbled by the the amount of kindness out there now its time to get on the road and get on the bike and get to LA for the big drawing good luck to you all and you can still contribute if you like and you will be entered in the drawing from now till the 12th
My heart could not be fuller than it is today thank you so very much everyone
Love david

by David Wichman on Thu, May 27, 2010 @ 5:49 PM

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

humbled & Hopeful
I cant really worry right now about grammar and spelling so you will just have to make due with my poor English skills.
I want to write this experience that has just happened to me that brings to mind so much emotion and gratitude.
I sent out my final mass email today to raise money for Aidslifecycle. Its a very tough call because I am sending emails to everyone in my contacts just to spread the word.
I do not have the ability to sift through and separate each address. besides its helpful a number of donations received were from people I have never met but heard or read about the ride and wanted to contribute.
So I get this response back as i do for many emails
This one was different it tugged at my heart and confirmed that the reason we do this ride is so important.
after a few email exchanges with this person I asked if he would mind allowing me to write about and share the email he sent me on my blog./ facebook page and aidslifecycle page
so here it is
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear David,
I live on SSDI, which is $620.00 per month, because of my AIDS.
I cannot walk more than 4 city blocks because of my having AIDS.
Now, I cannot do anything related to a normal life such as going to a Theatre, or anything else, such as going for a Cappuccino, because of the poverty I live in due to AIDS, so I am exactly the wrong type of person to be solicited for funds for an AIDS-ride, which I highly respect but cannot help.
But, as I said, I highly respect you and your cause and would help you if I had even an extra dollar, but on my SSI monthly allowance I just cannot part with even $1.00, which just writing this out makes me realize how bad off I am ,
(Name removed for privacy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not going to share anymore info but I want it to be said that i have personally reached out to him and offered any help i could friendship coffee groceries support of any kind.
I imagine he is far to proud to accept any charity from me and would like to be able to do things on his own and what angers me so much is that this deadly disease has stopped this humble and loving man from walking down the street to have a cup of coffee. A FUCKING CUP OF COFFEE !!!!
I am so honored to have a good healthy and full life and I am so confused and dumbfounded that there are so many people like this guy out there that need support or can barely get by because HIV & AIDS KILLS not just in the end but all along the way.
I cant imagine the way he must feel.
I do not buy into that I am helpless in this situation.
Its not about me anyway.
Its about participating in anyway possible.
I am not going to stop.
I am so humbled by this story angry and sad and brewing with a wealth of compassion.
For all those that cant get down the street to see a movie or have a meal or hang out with friends because the rent is due and the bills are piling up the funding is cut here and the wait list is 10 years long over there and the other options are closing as we speak.
I want you to know this ride is for all of you and I know this ride is to help stop this from happening to anyone else.
This battle is far from over.
We the riders roadies staff and crew at Aidslifecycle want you to know we are with you and we care we are holding you tightly and doing the very best we can please hang on and know that you are loved.
Humbled and hopeful
Love David Wichman
rider 2334

by David Wichman on Fri, May 07, 2010 @ 6:55 PM

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

20 years ago this month
April, 1990 - Ryan White died of AIDS. In today's Washington Post, Elton John remembers Ryan and speaks to him through this letter.
I think it's appropriate to post it here.

Elton John's letter to Ryan White, 20 years after his death from AIDS
By Sir Elton John
Sunday, April 25, 2010

Dear Ryan,
Twenty years ago this month, you died of AIDS. I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you, the friend who changed my life as well as the lives of millions living with HIV. Instead, I have written you this letter.
I remember so well when we first met. A young boy with a terrible disease, you were the epitome of grace. You never blamed anyone for the illness that ravaged your body or the torment and stigma you endured.
When students, parents and teachers in your community shunned you, threatened you and expelled you from school, you responded not with words of hate but with understanding beyond your years. You said they were simply afraid of what they did not know.
When the media heralded you as an "innocent victim" because you had contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion, you rejected that label and stood in solidarity with thousands of HIV-positive women and men. You reminded America that all victims of AIDS are innocent.
When you became a celebrity, you embraced the opportunity to educate the nation about the AIDS epidemic, even though your only wish was to live an ordinary life.
Ryan, I wish you could know how much the world has changed since 1990, and how much you changed it.
Young boys and girls with HIV attend school and take medicine that allows them to lead normal lives. Children in America are seldom born with the virus, and they no longer contract it through transfusions. The insults and injustices you suffered are not tolerated by society.
Most important, Ryan, you inspired awareness, which helped lead to lifesaving treatments. In 1990, four months after you died, Congress passed the Ryan White Care Act, which now provides more than $2 billion each year for AIDS medicine and treatment for half a million Americans. Today, countless people with HIV live long, productive lives.
It breaks my heart that you are not one of them. You were 18 when you died, and you would be 38 this year, if only the current treatments existed when you were sick. I think about this every day, because America needs your message of compassion as never before.
Ryan, when you were alive, your story sparked a national conversation about AIDS. But despite all the progress in the past 20 years, the dialogue has waned. I know you would be trying to revive it if you were here today, when the epidemic continues to strike nearly every demographic group, with more than 50,000 new infections in the United States each year. I know you would be loudly calling for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy that was promised by President Obama but has not yet been delivered. I know you would reach out to young people. I know you would work tirelessly to help everyone suffering from HIV, including those who live on the margins of society.
It would sadden you that today, in certain parts of the United States, some poor people with AIDS are still placed on waiting lists to receive treatment. It would anger you that your government is still not doing enough to help vulnerable people with HIV and populations that are at high risk of contracting the virus, including sexually active teenagers. It would upset you that AIDS is a leading cause of death among African Americans.
It would frustrate you that even though hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive Americans are receiving treatment in your name, more than 200,000 don't know their HIV-positive status, largely because of a lingering stigma surrounding the disease that prevents them from being tested. It would disappoint you that many teenagers do not have access to science-based HIV-prevention programs in school, at a time when half of new infections are believed to be among people under 25.
I miss you so very much, Ryan. I was by your side when you died at Riley Hospital. You've been with me every day since. You inspired me to change my life and carry on your work. Because of you, I'm still in the struggle against AIDS, 20 years later. I pledge to not rest until we achieve the compassion for which you so bravely and beautifully fought.
Your friend,
Elton

by David Wichman on Fri, Apr 23, 2010 @ 4:14 PM

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

My heart is full right now and heavy
Fundraising is going so well and I am so very grateful I encourage you to spread the word about this cause and share with your friends and family how important it is.
xo David

by David Wichman on Mon, Apr 05, 2010 @ 1:33 PM

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

Its Amazing that we have reached $11,000
With a huge travel schedule and major work commitments I dont know how this has happened I have been really lacking keeping the blog going and communications afloat but you all have been there anyway I I am so very grateful
please feel free to friend me on facebook as I do try to upload pics movies and info about my travel there as it is very easy to do from the road with my phone.
http://www.facebook.com/dpwichman?ref=profile
I hope to keep up with you all there and see you on the road sometime soon
xo David

by David Wichman on Mon, Mar 29, 2010 @ 6:26 PM

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

Yes !!! $2475.00
Well we are off to a great start and I am hoping this year will be the best year ever.
I am gearing up to head to New York City for a couple weeks will be hanging out with friends working out with my trainer and working hard I am so looking forward to going to Africa in February in the meantime I am headed to Mexico for some fun in the sun
so thanks for all the support this is getting very exciting so far.
I hope I can keep this blog up to date and post some pics and stories from the road.
every year I panic a little because my travel schedule just gets more intense and at last march will slow the roll a bit and stay at home a bit more I have the idea for a great project that will be a huge blast but its all under wraps right now cant wait to get started on it.
Again this year as the last has been a huge f=gift and I am so very grateful for everything that is happening in my world
well I will certainly write more as time goes by and do my best toi figure out how to post some great pics from around the world
until then BIG HUG TO YOU !!!
Love David

by David Wichman on Thu, Dec 24, 2009 @ 3:45 PM

 Permanent Link   No Comments