A message from David-sf & Andrew D (ALC 2010)

[+ David-SF]

So the ride and the difficult job of fundraising begins again

 

Another Journey of 545 miles from San Francisco to LA.

 

7 Days of fun sun and some sore Butts .

 

All to Raise much needed money for the San Francisco Aids Foundation

 

and The Gay and Lesbian center in LA.

 

Last year everyone was so generous and helped so much and for that we thank you very much.

 

again this year, much like last, the pull for resources is huge and if you can help please please do so.

 

keep in mind you can make monthly payments and make a larger contribution if you so choose.

 

 

Thank you so very much and please stay close helpful and enjoy your holidays

Love David SF & Andrew D

To donate to Andrew D click here:http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE9/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=1730102&pg=personal&fr_id=1220

[+ David-SF]

2 months left

 

 

I want to give this thread a bump because there is only a couple months left to raise much needed funds for ALC

Please consider making a donation to Andrew D.

if you can

 

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE9/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=1730102&pg=personal&fr_id=1220

[BARR1965]

 

I want to give this thread a bump because there is only a couple months left to raise much needed funds for ALC

Please consider making a donation to Andrew D.

if you can

 

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE9/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=1730102&pg=personal&fr_id=1220

 

Nice video but I did not see my picture

 

Another bump for this thread. David and Andrew you guys rock and I am looking forward seeing you again at this year's ride.

[Racketjock]

I applaud you guys for undertaking such a huge effort for a great cause. I support you both and wish you the best.

 

warmest,

RJ

[+ Axiom2001]

I applaud you guys for undertaking such a huge effort for a great cause. I support you both and wish you the best.

 

warmest,

RJ

 

A loud DITTO from Axiom2001.... -

[Racketjock]

Worthwhile and admirable "bump" IMO.

[jackhammer91406]

Something worthy of your time and support

 

<bump>

[Guest ChgoBoy]

To Ryan from Elton

 

20 years ago this month, on 09 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

 

[/url]Full article here

[Diverdan]

Thanks Chicago Boy

 

I just finished reading this letter about an hour ago. I am so glad you posted it, but it probably should have been done as a new thread to get the readers of the Message Forum's attention. If you go on Elton John's web site you will see he is doing a benefit concert next week, April 28, in Indianapolis in Ryan White's memory and to benefit Elton's Foundation for AIDS. I wish I could get there, but alas, I am stuck in DC next week for business. I hope some our midwest readers will make the trek to Indy for this worthy cause.

[+ David-SF]

Thank you

 

I took the liberty to repost it on my lifecycle page its a beautiful letter and I am grateful you brought this to our attention

cheers

[+ Axiom2001]

I applaud you guys for undertaking such a huge effort for a great cause. I support you both and wish you the best.

 

warmest,

RJ

 

DDDDDDDDDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTToooooooooooooo!! (DITTO)!

a x i o m -

[josephga]

Bump

[Guest greatness]

Good luck guys~~

 

Thank you for doing this~~ Kisses and hugs~~

[Guest mvan1]

20 years ago this month, on 09 April, 1990 - Ryan White died of AIDS. In today's Washington Post, Elton John remembers Ryan and speaks to him through this letter.

 

 

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,

 

cut cut cut

 

 

Although Elton John's letter is touching, I am turned off by the letter because of the second sentence at the beginning of the letter which reads in part - -

 

"I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you,- - -"

 

That is so phony! We all know that Elton John would not give up his fortune under these or any other circumstances. As to giving up his fame, that is not possible.

 

Were it not for that stupid opening sentence, his letter would have had a greater meaning.

 

By the way, this thread needs another bumping -

[JT Brooklyn]

Best of Luck this Year to both D & A..

[Guest andrewd]

Many Thanks!!

 

Thanks guys for the plugs and bumps here and the well wishes on the ride! It's very much appreciated!!

 

Also want to give a big, huge thanks for David for exposing himself, I mean, me to the ride last year! I'm looking forward to it again this year! Also want to congratulate David on his phenomenal fund raising efforts. He has raised over $20,000 and is the 5th highest fund raiser this year of ALL participants! Bravo, bud! Great job!!

 

We ride out in less than a week!!

[Diverdan]

Congratulations David and Andrew

 

Another bump for a great cause. I have personally given in honor of David and Andrew and just wish I had more to give. It is a great cause, and I hope that one day I might join the ride...but it might take all year to get me in shape

 

I was not offended by Elton John's letter, as I thought that sentence was more a metaphore about how he feels. Elton John's commitment to fighting the stigma of AIDS, especially with young people is well known, and this year he is doing two benefit concerts in Ryan White's memory with proceeds going to programs to help teens and other young people with AIDS.

 

I hope all the readers on this site will help with a donation to David and Andrew, whether it is large or small.

 

Good luck guys... I hope your butts don't get to sore... be sure you have the right seat so you don't put pressure on the wrong places...

[Guest ChgoBoy]

today is day 5 of the ride. Donations can still be made.

[JT Brooklyn]

Great Job Guys! This definitely deserves a BUMP!

[+ Axiom2001]

The timing for this thread has been brought back at a great moment. This year's AIDS LIFE CYCLE RIDE is about to conclude. I extend a huge applause to all of the riders and roadies and other assistants, but I give huge and tight hugs and big, big kisses to both Andrew and David! You guys, along with Barr, have shown true spirit and grace to this cause!

 

I am seriously thinking about becoming a roadie in 2011 (minus the costumes)! -

[+ sf westcoaster]

Follow The Ride

 

Go to http://www.aidslifecycle.org and follow the day to day activities Read the blogs and look at the pictures. Today (Thursday) is 'Red Dress Day" so the pictures from today (probably posted on Friday) should provide some enjoyment.

[+ David-SF]

Wow!!!!!!

 

AGAIN !!! for the 3rd year its just amazing I am having the time of my life I feel so blessed to have so many friends on this ride with me and so many folks supporting this cause I hope you will watch this video and see the fun we all have I got to do a little cameo at the end LOL what fun indeed !!!!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B_7yXXG8JI&feature=player_embedded

 

Be back soon with lots more news and really fun videos and pics after the ride this year I got some great stuff to share

xoxoxoxo David

Goodnight everyone 5 am comes quickly around here

[BARR1965]

A Lifetime Experience

 

The timing for this thread has been brought back at a great moment. This year's AIDS LIFE CYCLE RIDE is about to conclude. I extend a huge applause to all of the riders and roadies and other assistants, but I give huge and tight hugs and big, big kisses to both Andrew and David! You guys, along with Barr, have shown true spirit and grace to this cause!

 

I am seriously thinking about becoming a roadie in 2011 (minus the costumes)! -

 

Andrew it was nice seeing you again. And David what can I say about you .... you steal my heart every time you and I do this ride. My co-lunchies thinks you are HOT, SEXY and have a very infectious laugh.

 

 

I have already signed up for next year's ride, so Axiom no thinking about it just sign up online. Wearing a costume is part of being a roadie ... you can be conservative like me <wink> or you can be outrageous and sleazy <smile>.

[Guest andrewd]

What an awesome ride!!

 

I’m back in San Diego after biking 545 miles (in reality, 572 miles) from San Francisco to Los Angeles. We left San Fran on Sunday morning, June 6th & arrived in LA on Saturday, June 12th. I rode every single inch without incident. No soreness, save for a mild knee irritation the last couple of days, no FLATS, no mechanical issues, and perfect weather!! I had an amazing ride this year and shared it with some amazing friends who became like family to me by week's end.

 

The ride this year was one that was very emotion filled and intensely gratifying on a myriad of levels. This year’s ride was one of the hardest on record due to intense head winds at the end of Day 5. The wind was raging at about 35-50 mph hitting us squarely in the face for about 25 miles over some intense hills that would have been a challenge even without the added wind factor. It was during this part of the ride; which lasted about 3 hours, that the memory of who and why I was doing this got me through as well as the encouragement and generosity of all of you. Just as I rounded yet another curve and was faced with yet another hill and was being wracked by wicked winds, I thought: “Really?! Are you *%#! kidding me?! AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!” I gathered my composure, put my head down, dug into my pedals & willed my aching legs to do what it was I came here to do and what all of you helped to me to achieve.

 

That night in camp, as I reflected on the previous few hours at the end of the day, I was overcome with emotion. The emotion of remembering the loss of my brother and my best friend as well as the kindness & positive encouragement so many had given me.

 

I honestly could not have done this without the support all of you gave me, both of a monetary nature and in the form of postive encouragement along the way. Thanks to Barr for your smiling face each day @ lunch and Axiom for the surprise visit @ our lunch stop one day. I am so very grateful and humbled by it. So much so, that I have already signed up to do it all again next year! Bring it on!!