$3,342.89

Next week I’ll be cycling 600km in 6 days, from Toronto to Montreal, in support of the Toronto People with AIDS foundation (PWA).

I’m deeply moved by the essential and much-needed work PWA does in my neighbourhood. For so many people, PWA is their only safety net. They provide food programs, wellness care, peer support, and practical services to over 2,200 people living with HIV/AIDS every year. While Toronto PWA has a $4 million annual budget, they receive only $1 million in funding from the government; which means that they need to raise $3 million in donations every year, and the annual Friends for Life Bike Rally plays a key part in that! Every year, more than 200 riders participate in the rally with the ultimate goal of raising $1.7 million for people living with HIV/AIDS.

This has been a hard year for all of us, but its been especially hard for the community served by PWA--rising costs, health burdens, and social stigma continue to impact so many lives, and for many, it is still a matter of life or death.

PWA offers a safe and welcoming space where people can access support without judgment. With more testing, better support, and less stigma,we can stop the spread and ensure people living with HIV have access to the care they need. Your donation directly supports PWA and ensures that support will continue to be there for people living with, and those at risk of, HIV/AIDS.

Every donation helps - and every dollar raised brings hope to those who need it most.

- $25 provides a meal voucher for someone facing food insecurity.

- $40 covers transportation for 10 people to attend medical appointments

- $60 funds a peer-led support group for people living with HIV.

- $100 helps someone access life-saving medication they couldn’t otherwise afford.

- $200 provides groceries for one family for a week.

Please consider making a donation to support my ride. Together,we can fight stigma, improve lives, and ensure no one is left behind.

Thank you for your support!