Kerry's|
My journey to AIDS/LifeCycle It has been 15 years now. It has been 15 years since I sat at the bedside of my best friend and helplessly held his hand as he lay dying of AIDS. Since that time I have felt many different emotions; fear, anger, frustration, loss…healing, accomplishment and even hope. You may ask how all of these different feelings can co-exist when they seem so contrary. In the beginning of this epidemic our generation struggled to understand what was happening and deal with our losses. Things have changed over the 27 years we have been living with…some of us still dying from HIV/AIDS. Those 27 years have seen some positive changes though. For me, the healing began when, on the 10th anniversary of my friend’s death, I vowed to do more. I wanted to honor and remember him and all of those we have lost. In April that year I registered for AIDS/LifeCycle 2. I trained for months and rode my 40lb mountain bike 605 miles down the California coast that June of 2002. I raised $2850 that year. Ten years after feeling helpless and powerless, I felt victorious and hopeful. During those seven days I learned that I was not alone with my grief and frustration. I was part of this amazing new family who felt, as I did, that not enough was being done to help educate people at risk for HIV, not enough was being done to help fund treatment for those already infected and not enough was being done to put an end to the stigma surrounding this disease which effects all kinds of people from all walks of life. In the years that followed, I continued to ride and be involved with AIDS/LifeCycle. Every year I raised a bit more money than the year before. Then in 2006 I joined the AIDS/LifeCycle staff and began to help other ALC participants train and fundraise. During my time on staff I have dedicated my time, love and sweat to this cause. I have never been happier. I feel that I have been a part of creating a legacy for my lost friend which he could never have dreamed of. But I have not finished creating that legacy. Over the years I have witnessed firsthand what the money we raise means to those who could not otherwise afford the free HIV testing, medical pharmacy support, mental health services, prevention education, clinic services and youth HIV prevention education. I believe I have witnessed miracles…miracles which could not happen without you. Yes, you. I have witnessed the miracle of what we can accomplish together to effect the changes we want to see in this world. You can be a part of this miracle. This year I dug deep and asked myself; what more can I do?? Well, as part of this ongoing legacy I imagine for my lost friends and yours I want to try to achieve the seemingly unachievable. I want to raise $25,000! I want to raise $2500 not for a one week ride down the coast but $2500 for each of the 10 friends I laughed with, cried with and loved. I want these 10 friends, gone too soon; to be a part of this legacy…they are the inspiration; that is the legacy. You and I will answer to the legacy; that is the miracle. I will do my part. I will rise early every weekend and help train new cyclists. I will staff outreach events afterhours to register more riders. I will conduct workshops to prepare the almost 1500 cyclists from Los Angeles who will take part in AIDS/LifeCycle 7. I will spend many sleepless hours driving trucks and moving heavy supplies. I will do what I can, but I cannot make a difference alone. How can you help? It’s simple; there is no heavy lifting involved. All you need to do is open your heart. Open your mind to the possibility that we CAN make this happen. Then open your wallet. Open your wallet and donate just a bit more than you had considered. Just a bit more can make a big difference to someone who depends on the vital HIV/AIDS services we help fund to stay healthy. Just a bit more can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. Just a bit more will help us realize the miracle I imagine. Imagine for yourself…just a bit more. PLEASE consider the monthly payment option. If you can afford $25 dollars this month then chances are good you could every month for 10 months, right? It is not that significant a sacrifice to make to change someone’s life. $25 a month to me means giving up that second Starbucks run of the day for a week. That’s it. I will make that sacrifice….will you? It is not much to ask to make a miracle. Thank you for your generous support.
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Kerry's latest blog entry:
Monday, Jun 23, 2008 
Kerry's Goal: $25,000.00
Current Total: $1,450.00 |
Kerry's LinksWorld AIDS Clock
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
I want your trash!! Kerry Castillo @ AIDS/lifeCycle 1125 N. McCadden Place, Suite 202 Los Angeles, CA. 90038
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Examples of acceptable wrappers!!
Kerry's BlogMonday, June 23, 20083:31 PMThe 2008 Senior PromOkay.... So maybe this isn't EXACTLY what you were expecting to see here. But read on anyway...you WON'T be sorry! This past Saturday I had the honor of attending The Centers annual Senior Prom. This gala honors Gay seniors with an evening of dining dancing and fun. I find myself in AWE of these brave pioneers who paved the way for us. Stonewall, The Mattachine Society and The Daughters of Bilitis are probably just words in a history text to most of us. To our elder brothers and sisters they were the times of their lives and stepping stones laid along a path more easily travelled by LGBT people today. They are OUR history....OUT history. Please enjoy these photos from our 2008 Senior Prom...and never forget... If you have time, please donate your time to your local Gay Senior Program. History might might be around forever, the people who made it won't.
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Thursday, April 17, 200812:55 PMRide More! Drive Less!!Spring is HERE! The days are longer and the weather is perfect! Next time you head out to do a few errands or even commute to work, consider riding instead of driving! It's good for YOU, it's good for the planet and it can even be good for your wallet!! How much did your last gas tank fill-up cost you. There are MANY bike friendly routes you can choose to get you where you need to go! Check out the metro and see how easy it is to take your bike on the busses and trains! Traffic is worse than EVER here in LA so get out of your car and into the saddle! You will will amazed how much fun commuting by bike can be!
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Friday, March 7, 200811:00 AMAwww...Spring! Don't let that old Winter road dirt damage your chain!!Okay. Spring is upon us and many of us, myself included, are just now really beginning to get out and take advantage of the nice weather!! But after all the rains here in LA, the roads are full of debris....debris just waiting to take up residence in YOUR chain!!
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, January 8, 20087:23 PMNot even the voice in my head...Sometimes we win. It seems that oftentimes we find ourselves fighting an uphill battle....or should I say several uphill battles at once. Life is full of challenges. Some we create for ourselves; losing that holiday weight, getting in shape, paying off our debts. Some we encounter through no making of our own; the competition for that promotion, that somewhat eccentric new boyfriend of your rommate who seems to have taken up residence on your couch. And then sometimes a challenge or battle comes along that puts everything in perspective. For me that happened this past July and it was not even really MY battle to fight. As some of you may already know, my mother was admitted to the hospital last July for what should have been a very routine outpatient surgery. Well, without going into precise medical detail, a bungled surgery, poor follow up, and several months full misdiagnosis' later I sat on the phone listening to a doctor tell me that my previously incredibly healthy mother was experiencing widespread organ failure and that there was nothing more he, or medicine, could do for her. He assured me that her medical team would "make her comfortable" and make sure she didn't suffer. I hung up the phone that night and waited for the next call to come. I waited....1 day, then 2, then a week. Appearantly no on had bothered to tell my mom that she was supposed to die. Hmmmmm.....and that was their mistake. You see, my mom is one of those people....you know the ones. They don't take no for an answer. They don't bow to tradition, convention or anyone elses will. They will root for whoever is playing against your favorite team just to be contrary. No sir, dying was definitely not on her agenda and she wasn't going anywhere that wasn't her idea, by God. So every day she rallied. She fought. She healed. She NEVER ONCE listened to the dire predictions of the medical professionals. She NEVER ONCE even entertained the idea that she would leave this earth until she was "good and damn ready" My mom has inspired me many times in my life. She taught me by example NEVER to let ANYONE else tell you what you can or can't do ...and that goes for the voice in your head too! During this past 6 months I have learned a lot about my family and how we face adversity. It has reminded me how special my relationship is with my good friend...my mom. But more than anything, watching my mom, the miracle, has once again reminded me....NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING....NOT EVEN THAT VOICE IN YOUR HEAD. I love you, mom and I dedicate MY AIDS/LifeCycle 7 to you and your amazing and inspirational recovery! As for those challenges, I can tell you without a doubt that sometimes we DO win... Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb |
It's easy to prevent chain damage caused by road dirt and grime, though. Check out the video below for expert advice on how to clean and lube your own chain. A few minutes care can keep your bike running smooooooooth and cleeeeaaaannnn. |
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