$201.25

Doing this again!

In July 2024, my cousin Brian and I saw POZ, a Toronto Fringe Festival play at Theatre Passe Muraille by Mark Keller, about his experiences living with HIV and how the Friends for Life Bike Rally helped him come to terms with that part of his identity. It was so moving and inspiring, it made me want to jump in to do what I can to support this cause, which is so important to me.

So I decided to ride in the Friends for Life Bike Rally in support of people living with HIV/AIDS. This was my first ever bike rally! I had never, ever, ridden this far before! TBH I don't know if I will ever ride that far again, it was really hard, with the heat, the humidity, the unrelenting sun, the poor air quality due to wildfire smoke...

But I survived, fuelled by gratitude for all of the donations I generated for a very worthy cause, the amazing camaraderie with my teammates (Wheely Wonkas 4eva!) and most importantly, the amazing Road Support crew. Always there, with signs to point the way, ice for my hydration pack, bananas and electrolytes.

So this year, I'm joining as a volunteer. I'm going to be the person with the pompoms shouting "GO GO GO!" and also "Let me know if you need to stop!" Because I know exactly what it's like to need both types of support!

And it was such a fantastic week, I can't not be involved again. And you can join me!

Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Donate to my page to help me reach my fundraising goal
• Join the Friends for Life Bike Rally and create your own fundraising page!

Because it’s not just about the ride, it’s about helping people living with HIV/AIDS who need food, wellness care, peer support, or just to be in a place that is welcoming and safe for them.

Look what your donation can do:

• $40 provides 10 community members with transportation to medical appointments
• $60 funds a peer-led support group for people living with HIV
• $100 supports a community member to access medication
• $200 ensures one family has groceries for a week

As a volunteer, I don't have to fundraise, but this cause is close to my heart, and I hope you can join me in supporting it!

With many thanks,

Jennifer