Congressman Schiff to Ride in AIDS/LifeCycle – 545Mile Bike Journey from San Francisco to Raise Money and Awareness for AIDS Research and Treatment
San Francisco/Los Angeles, CA – Starting Sunday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) will join thousands of cyclists and volunteer “roadies” who will embark on a 545-mile journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles – the AIDS/LifeCycle – to raise awareness and funding for the fight to end HIV/AIDS. This annual journey raises millions of dollars to support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDS-related services of the L.A. LGBT Center. Schiff will be the first Congressman to ever participate.
“I’m fortunate to represent a district with a large and vibrant LGBT community, and many of my constituents have received the highest quality care and services from the LA LGBT Center, one of the main beneficiaries of the ride,” said Rep. Schiff. “I have been to the Center, I have seen the amazing work they do every day, and I know they have been a lifeline to people living with HIV.
“Last year, I had a chance to participate in the closing ceremony of the ride, and I could not have been more impressed by the determination of the riders, the generosity of the donors, and the excitement of the roadies and all the participants. And I hoped that at some point I would have the opportunity to ride – little did I know the opportunity would come so soon.
“I can’t wait to join with the thousands of other participants, and support such a great cause.”
Now in its 13th year, AIDS/LifeCycle is a fully supported, 545-mile bike ride – not a race – that raises important awareness about the continued HIV/AIDS epidemic, in addition to funding services such as HIV testing and screenings for other sexually transmitted infections, HIV medical care, prevention services, and more.
“We’re making great strides in fighting HIV and caring for those living with the disease, but our work is far from done,” said Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the L.A. LGBT Center. “Alarmingly, the HIV infection rate among gay and bisexual men and transgender people is on the rise, and we’re caring for record numbers of people in our Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic. It’s thanks to the dedication and commitment of each AIDS/LifeCycle participant that we’re able to care for so many people, continue our work to fight new infections, advocate for sound HIV/AIDS policy, and conduct research to help end the epidemic.”
In the seven days it takes the riders to reach Los Angeles, more than 1,000 people in the United States will become infected with HIV. Especially alarming is the fact that one out of every five people living with HIV nationwide is not aware of their status. Since the rides began as the California AIDS Ride in 1993, its participants completed more than 40,000 journeys on bikes from San Francisco to Los Angeles.