June 3, 2011
Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of CDC's first report of the disease that became known as AIDS, and on that day some 2,500 bicyclists and 700 support personnel will set out on AIDS/LifeCycle10. The weeklong, 545-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles raises funds for HIV/AIDS-related services provided by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.
Registered riders range in age from 18 to 83, and they hail from 41 states and 11 nations. Each is required to raise at least $3,000. Since its 2001 inception, AIDS/LifeCycle has raised more than $70 million to fight the epidemic and support those living with HIV.
"I don't think I could really tell you the full number of people I have lost to this disease," said Paul Ortega, who first participated two years ago and will ride again this year. "I feel blessed to be able to do just this little part."
For more information, visit www.aidslifecycle.org/.