In this tumultuous year, I thought I would ground myself in something that feels comfortable because it is familiar - riding my bike to end AIDS. This is something I have had the opportunity to do, and many of you have supported me doing, for the past 10 years.

Now, of course, the way in which we ride will be different this year. I won’t be able to join my friends on a bike ride down the coast of California, or on a ride around Lake Michigan. This year, I am being called to create my own unique challenge to remember the hardships faced by my community members in the past, as well as the daily struggles of anyone living with HIV and AIDS faces today.

I would love to invite you to do something many of you have come to do regularly in years past - to donate to my AIDS ride and help plant a seed of hope that we can end this virus, as well as this new one we have all been struggling with this year. My ride this year will benefit an incredible organization, TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network) that helps those affected by HIV and AIDS with local services in Chicago, as well as throughout the US with a major national publication called “Positively Aware,” which provides continually updating resources on how to live a healthy and happy life for those with HIV, as well as the latest cure research.

Here are some options for your support this year:

$150 - Supports TPAN's housing navigation and case management experts' care for a homeless or unstably housed client.

$25 - helps cover the costs of an HIV/STD testing/counseling session and testing kit