AIDS/LifeCycle Closes Rider Registration; Record 2,500 Cyclists Expected to Raise More Than $11 Million in SF to LA Ride
Los Angeles & San Francisco, March 27, 2008 -- For the first time in the event's history, AIDS/LifeCycle has closed registration for cyclists early after an unprecedented number of riders registered for the event. A record 2,500 people--representing 42 states and 10 countries--are expected to leave San Francisco on June 1. Cyclists will pedal for seven days to Los Angeles, all to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and more than $11 million for the HIV/AIDS-related services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
Registration is still open for
volunteer "roadies," the volunteers who are the lifeblood of the event and
serve food, transport gear, staff rest stops, direct cyclists and perform other
critical jobs during the week-long ride. To volunteer as one of the 500+
roadies, visit: www.aidslifecycle.org.
"The AIDS/LifeCycle community of
cyclists and roadies is unlike any other," said Michael Barron, AIDS/LifeCycle
director. "Each year it's an amazing group of people from all over
the world, of all ages and from all walks-of-life, united by their common goal
to do something heroic in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It's really a
life-changing week for participants and since we want to make sure the scale of
the ride continues to promote an amazing and safe experience for everyone, we
decided to cap the number of registrations."
AIDS/LifeCycle, now in its seventh
year, has been a major force in raising awareness about the ongoing effect of HIV
and the growing need for services as the number of people living with the
disease continues to grow. Over the course of the week-long event, the
riders--sometimes outnumbering the populations of the communities they ride
through--are greeted by local residents of eight counties who line roadways and
visit rider pit stops to show support. Cheering groups of schoolchildren
stand alongside the road with homemade signs and refreshments and local
residents show support with signs of thanks that invoke memories of loved ones
lost to AIDS.
The record number of cyclists in
this year's event--ranging in age from 18 to 81--represent a full range of
cycling experience and expertise, from novices to seat-hardened "hammerheads"
and includes people from all walks of life. Riders train for months in
advance of the ride and commit themselves to raising at least $2,500 each to
support HIV-related services at both organizations. On average, most raise over
$4,000. Meeting the physical and mental challenges of the ride serves as
an example that encourages people to make healthy choices regardless of HIV
status, organizers said.
More than 160,000 Californians are living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom are
unaware of their infection. In California, HIV/AIDS has had a particularly
severe effect on the gay community, with more than 74 percent of all cases
occurring among gay and bisexual men of all races and ethnicities, compared
with 58 percent of AIDS cases nationally. Communities of color, including
gay and bisexual men, have been disproportionately affected as well.
Though African Americans comprise 12% of the U.S. population, they accounted
for 50% of new AIDS diagnoses in 2005. Latinos comprise approximately 14%
of the population, yet accounted for 19% of the AIDS cases diagnosed in
2005.
Online registration for AIDS/LifeCycle 8 will open in mid-September. AIDS/LifeCycle is jointly produced by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. More information about the event is available at www.aidslifecycle.org.
Contacts:
Jim Key, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center: 323-993-7623
Dave Ellison, SF AIDS Foundation: 415-487-3071
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