$7,524.50

She’s back back back again! 

Loved the Bike Rally so much that I’m back for a 6th time, and now I’m on the Wellness Crew! This year I’ll be off the bike, and will join a team of healthcare providers to support our hundreds of riders, as they make the 6 day, 600km cycling journey from Toronto to Montreal, to raise money for HIV services. It takes a village to get from our Village to Montreal’s!

I learned about the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA) from one of my best friends, Mark Keller, and he’s who I do this rally for. When he was diagnosed, the PWA was right there to shepherd Mark through a lot of tough emotions and logistics. They connected him with his wellness team and provided a home where he didn’t have to explain himself as an HIV+ person. In many ways, I feel like the PWA saved one the most important people to me, so I ride and raise money not only in thanks to them, but also to help others along in accessing the PWA’s services. Those services connect HIV+ folks with healthcare, food and medication security, counselling and a social group of peers who understand what it means to navigate the stigma attached to being HIV+.

Over 6 days this August we’ll be riding the 600km from Toronto to Montreal to raise money for those services, and I would deeply appreciate your help in making it to my $6k goal. About half of the PWA’s operational budget is raised in this rally, and last year we brought in $1.8M! This is great but sadly necessary, since government funding for HIV services have lagged over the last decade. As a result, we’re seeing HIV make a comeback in certain communities. We need help to both prevent that, and to care for those affected. 

HIV is a treatable chronic disease, that has been woven into the queer community’s culture of caring. Please help if you can!Together our fantastic, empathetic community can build a gentler world!