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LAGLC Logo David Martin's
AIDS/LifeCycle Homepage

I'm Riding to End AIDS

From June 1-7, 2008, I'm bicycling in AIDS/LifeCycle. It's a 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to make a world of difference in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Help me support the HIV/AIDS-related services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center by giving what you can. We'll keep riding until AIDS and HIV are a thing of the past.

There are many reasons that this adventure is so very important to me.  Yes, it's about raising funds for organizations that fight the spread of HIV and AIDS in the United States and abroad with a combination of treatment and education.  It's about the AIDS Clearing house that has handed out millions of pieces of preventative HIV/AIDS literature in 8 languages.  It's about the Center's Youth HIV Program serving at-risk teens.  It's about the volunteer teachers and mentors serving run-away teens to help them complete their High School requirements.  It's about the Center's HIV/AIDS pharmacy which dispenses more than $1 million in free and low-cost drugs to people who are otherwise not able to get treatment.  And it is about drawing attention to the budget cuts on the state and federal levels that have a disproportionate effect on the poor communities where HIV and AIDS are spreading fastest.

Personally, this ride provides the opportunity to honor the all-too many friends that I have known taken by AIDS; to honor the parents riding for children they have lost to AIDS; the children riding to honor the parents they have lost; brothers and sisters whose siblings have been taken by AIDS; to those like myself who have lost partners to this dreadful disease; and very importantly, to pay homage to the "Positive Pedalers" making this ride to show us that life can and does go on when we come together as a community.

Someday, through awareness, education, and research, there will be a cure for HIV/AIDS.  One day there will also be a cure for Cystinosis so that my friend Natalie can live a long and normal life.  One day there will be a cure for Lymphoma so that Marc will not have to mourn his brother, George.      One day there will be a cure for . . . . . . . . . . . . . the list is endless.  We are our brother's and sister's keepers - let us all come together and realize that we are all one.  Six degrees of separation is such a gross exaggeration. 
David's Goal: $15,000.00
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Messages of Support for David

Reggie & Richard (7/20/08 10:22PM): David, it's been our honor getting to know you. You are truly an inspiration for us all to aspire to. Fondly....Reggie & Richard

Jeffrey & Ross (6/06/08 3:44PM): You are our hero!!!

Thomas Rollerson #5718 (5/27/08 8:47PM): I hope to get to meet you on the ride! Bravo for all you've done!!!

Andy & Tim in Palm Springs (5/27/08 1:02AM): David, When I first met you and we rode out to Dillon Road together. I thought to myself, I sure hope he makes it! You certainly have proved me wrong! You are an inspiration and a wonder to behold! Thanks for coming into my life and I certainly look forward to riding with you next week as we journey down from San Francisco to Los Angeles! Be safe, ride safe and take lots of pictures! Andy & Tim

Janet & Gerald Thomas (5/24/08 8:03PM): David - Wishing you a memorable adventure. We are planning on staking out a spot to cheer you on "somewhere" in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Thomas Tribe sends you a BIG group hug. Fondly, Janet & Gerald. (p.s. we're sore just thinking about it!!!)

Thomas P.Sokol, MD (5/23/08 5:45PM): David: Go forth and ride like the wind, but do not pass too much wind. Use BUTT CHAMOIS cream and enjoy the ride. All the best, TOM SOKOL.

Stephen Monkarsh (5/19/08 4:56PM): David, you are an inspiration!! I hope to cheer you on at the finish line. I know this will be an unforgettable experience. Congratulations from your fans at Just Fabulous!

Natalia Safran (5/09/08 1:59PM): Dear David - may the road unfold before you smoothly and with much providence. What a fantastic endeavor! We are proud of you and keep our fingers crossed. It is going to be an amazing adventure. Please find our dear friend Curtis Shepard, who is the director of children, youth and family services at the Gay and Lesbian Center and has done this ride for many years. He is wonderful and shares the same brave maverick spirit! Another good friend who is riding is Hermes Clausz - just so you have some veteran friends in your first ride '-). with all our love The Safrans

Carla-Rider #2001 (4/29/08 8:36PM): When Brandi shared the news of your email and donation, it made my day. It makes me so happy to know there are people like you out there in the world, and most specificly, on this ride. My girlfriend and I look forward to meeting you in a few weeks.

Brandi (4/29/08 12:48PM): Once I wiped the tear away from my eyes...I gave you a big hug. I am looking forward to meeting you on the ride David. I will wear your loved ones names proud. This will be the first ride for my girlfriend (Rider #1932) and I. I have lost 2 uncles to AIDS and I can promise this ride will not be my last. I really sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for the donation, the inspiration & the great energy I felt in your message. :)

Brandi

Ken Zaikowski (4/28/08 10:03PM): Hi David, Your total is amazing! Thank you so much from one of those positive peddlers. See you this weekend! kenz.

Kristina Davis (4/27/08 8:17PM): Seeing how much you've raised this year inspires me to keep pushing harder to reach my goal. Thanks!

Brandi #1938 (4/27/08 6:27PM): Hey David! I really enjoyed reading your page and am interested in any fundraising tips you can offer. I am pretty resourceful and have had a REALLY hard time fundraising for this event. It is our first ALC ride and i suppose due to hard times most everyone we reach out to doesn't see the need to donate to such a great cause. ;) Anyhow...if you had a couple of minutes, I would appreciate your words of wisdom as the ride gets closer, I am afraid we won't be able to ride if we don't make our goals!! I heard naked mudwrestling would bring a good crowd, lol...I'd try anything at this point. Haha..

Thanks in advance if you have a couple of minutes to share!

Brandi Fitzgerald, Rider #1938

Tyson (4/25/08 12:32PM): David, best wishes on passing the little kids with tassels and training wheels much sooner than the Palm Springs ride;)! Cheers, TS

Chad (4/22/08 6:15PM): David, I hope you find a nice set of "tires" to ride behind during the long journey...somehow I think that might make the time just fly by!!! Chad

jeff Stack (4/17/08 4:49PM): David, You are doing a great thing with this ride. You have done so much for so many over the years with all of your good works. What a wonderful person you are & as someone else alrady said, "You are a true IRONMAN" We consider it an honor & a privilege to be your friend! Love, Nancy & Jeff

rob (4/16/08 7:12PM): David,

Have a great time on the ride. As always, you are an inspiration!

Rob

Dennis Gibbens (4/06/08 4:59PM): David, Have a great time on the ride! I will be thinking of you as you pedal down the coast and send best wishes to you in this important endeavor. Have a fun and safe ride. With love, admiration and friendship. Dennis

Jim & Kim Jennings (4/03/08 8:27PM): David, You are our IRONMAN!! You are absolutely amazing. We are all so fortunate to have you in our lives. Be Safe!! See you in October. Aloha, Jim & Kim

Poon Design Inc. (4/03/08 10:29AM): Don't forget to smell the roses on the way The cost of nature is not much to pay. There's beauty in this world in which we live, There's precious little else that's free to give.

R.L. Gerber

Ashley Lewis (3/30/08 12:03PM): David, You are such an incredible person with a huge heart and beautiful soul. You enrich the lives of all whom you meet. Being around you has been such a treat! Thank you for all your help and friendship. I know you will love-e-e-this trip and you will triumph. Lots of love, Ashley

Stacey Smith (3/26/08 3:51PM): Go David! This is so great. See you soon! Lots of love, Stacey and Shaun

Dr.Amazing (3/24/08 8:21PM): David, you are my idol, and I only wish I had more moolah available to support your worthy (if excessively sweaty) endeavor. Good reason to get a day job, I suppose. HUGS, and see you soon. Adoringly, as usual, grace

Ray Somberg (3/08/08 3:54PM): Good Luck & Have Fun.

Ray Somberg

Anthony , Louann & Pierce Thibert (3/06/08 5:59PM): Uncle David, We are so proud of everything you do for everyone else. You have touched our lives in so many wonderful ways that we would not be able to write them all in this message. We want to tell you how special you are to us and we love you soooo much. You are truly an angel.

Love, Anthony, Louann & Pierce

bryan bethem (2/15/08 2:33PM): Try not to hurt yourself this time!

David's Links

L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, a leader in battling AIDS and caring for those who are HIV-infected since the earliest days of the pandemic, provides free medical care to those who can't afford treatment and distributed more than $17 million worth of free HIV medications last year. The Center also provides one-on-one and group therapy, mobile testing/counseling, education, advocacy, and prevention services. Each month 700-1,000 people are tested for HIV at the Center.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Committed to ending the pandemic and human suffering caused by HIV, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation develops innovative solutions, combining scientific evidence with community experience to fight HIV/AIDS and promote health. Established in 1982, the Foundation provides direct services to thousands of people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS and supplies information to thousands more about HIV prevention and treatment through programs that include the California AIDS Hotline (800-367-AIDS). The Foundation promotes HIV awareness in the community and advocates for sound HIV/AIDS policies at all levels of government.

Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 2007
Get a taste of last year's event, with participant blogs, audio podcasts, and hundreds of photos.

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