Last year i did something I never thought I'd be able to do  I biked 100 miles from Michigan to Northern Chicago in support of people with HIV.

When I dropped off my bag and bike that Friday before the ride I was scared. I had only trained for 70 miles. Saturday morning I think I was one of the first 20 people at check in. I saw all these people arriving who were in so much better shape than me with better bikes than me that would likely finish hours before me. 

Little did I know that this would become a family to me. On the first day of the ride I got to meet a lot of the volunteers and riders as we fed the 200 milers. That night we sat down and and heard all about what the money we were raising would be going to fund, hung out and then went to bed.  

Come Sunday morning I was the first person up in my cabin  I made the coffee and we started getting ready for breakfast. When 7:30 rolled around I rolled out. Start the clock... Over the next 7:00 hours I had times where I was riding with a small group. I had times where I could see the tail lights ahead and a good bit I had time when I was alone  It's honestly how I like to ride. It's a time I'm not slowing anyone down or rushing someone to keep up and a time I had to take in the beauty of the trail and think about all the ways HIV has affected my life. I try not to think about how many of my family members and friends I've lost. Before I knew it 100 miles had passed and I was at the finish line. 

I've joined hundreds of cyclists, volunteers, and everyday advocates like you and me to raise funds that deliver health care and supportive services to more than 2,000 people in Chicago. Our mission is to empower all lives affected by HIV and its many health challenges, and I'm proud to help TPAN and its community partners deliver on that promise every day.

Please join me in the Ride for Life Chicago with your donation or sponsorship! Your support provides lifesaving care. 

Any gift that's meaningful to you means so much to our effort!