AIDS/LifeCycle Does a Good Turn for PLWHAs

This week, thousands of cyclists and their volunteer roadies will cover 545 miles as they trek from San Francisco to Los Angeles as part of the annual AIDS/LifeCycle Ride to end AIDS, benefiting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV programs of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. This year's event is expected to raise over $13 million for vital HIV-related services.

"People come from all over the country and around the world each year to participate in this remarkable event, and for one week they form a unique bond, putting their mind, body and soul into the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Neil Giuliano, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "AIDS/LifeCycle not only plays a critical role in helping us stop the transmission of HIV and expand care for all people living with the disease, it also inspires us to work harder, do better, and accomplish more in our mission to end the epidemic once and for all."

This year's ride marks two decades of riding and 20 million miles since the event was founded as the California AIDS Ride in 1993. That's the equivalent of riding around the world 800 times. Unfortunately, we still have much further to go.

"We have been fighting the scourge of HIV and AIDS for more than three decades, and our fight is far from over," said Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. "Too many people believe this disease is no longer a significant problem in the U.S. In fact, there are 1.1 million Americans living with HIV. The infection rate among gay and bisexual men -- especially among young men and men of color -- continues to climb at a rate that is nothing short of alarming. That's why the services of the center and the foundation are so critical, both to serve those living with HIV and to stop the spread of this disease."

AIDS/LifeCycle is a seven-day ride through California's countryside, designed to advance the shared mission of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation to reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs).

For more information or to track the progress, visit www.aidslifecycle.org