December 5, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Momentum Rises as AIDS/LifeCycle Reaches $6M in Fundraising

Funds will support HIV/AIDS-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation

By Susan Payne

Sixteen years ago, cyclist Ana Esquivel rode the 545-mile bike ride that supports the HIV/AIDS-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

Itching to do the ride again with her wife Barb Schultheis, they began training in January 2021 for the next ride, but it was canceled due to the pandemic. 

“I originally did the ride because my uncle died of AIDS in the 1980s and I rode in his honor,” Esquivel shared at the February AIDS/LifeCycle SoCal Expo in Griffith Park, reported by LGBT News Now. “I’ve been wanting to do it again.”

Luckily, the pandemic didn’t stop them from training.

Both 2020 and 2021 in-person rides were canceled, but the world’s largest single event fundraising for HIV/AIDS will make a return from June 5-11 starting in San Francisco and into Los Angeles.

“I’m excited about it,” Schultheis told LGBT News Now. “It’s been on her (Esquivol) bucket list to do it again so I’m doing it with her. The training is going really well and we’re feeling strong.”

At the SoCal Expo, Esquivol and Schultheis met more than a dozen community partners, perused the latest gear and equipment, and learned about best practices and tips to prepare for the seven-day ride.

After the morning training ride, a volunteer massage team was on hand to help riders recover, and giveaways, a free gear swap, merchandise sales, food and drink and vendors brought back memories of previous fundraiser rides.

“Seeing the massage tables and the Camp Lounge is bringing it all back and I can’t wait,” 2019 rider Russell Lin told LGBT News Now. “I’m already a cyclist and I wanted to do something where I’m giving back to the community. After doing the first one, I just fell in love and now I’m here again.”

Lin said people are more eager than ever to support the fundraiser. 

“I’ve been posting on social media and people have been donating including some people who I don’t even know,” Lin shared. “It’s pretty amazing to have people donate once they see what I’m doing.”

In 2019, participants raised more than $16.9 million, the highest amount in the event’s long history. This year, riders are on track to surpass that total. 

So far, $6 million has been raised for the 2022 ride which is $2 million more than expected for February, according to Tracy Evans, ride director.

“People are just so eager and happy to be back with the community and when we opened registration in August, they were all in and they just got to it which is why we are where we are with fundraising,” she said.

A limited number of slots are still open for anyone considering the trek, but they are expected to fill quickly, Evans mentioned.

“While we’ve come so far in the last 40 years in our mission to end AIDS, we’re not there yet and it’s going to take more to get there,” she said. “Join in and be part of the solution.”
To register or volunteer for the ride, go to aidslifecycle.org.

in NEWS
Related Posts

Los Angeles Payroll Report Shows That Significant Numbers of City Employees Aren’t Local

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

City Controller Mejia’s Report Calls Attention to City Workers Place of Residence By Dolores Quintana In the realm of payroll,...

Protest Erupts in Los Angeles Over City’s Approval of Rent Hike Approval

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Residents and Advocacy Groups Unite Against City Council’s Decision By Dolores Quintana In Los Angeles, residents took to the streets...

Billie Eilish Sarcastically Responds to Unexpected Outing at Variety Awards

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Hitmakers Awards Ceremony Interview Aftermath Prompts IG Response By Dolores Quintana In a recent interview with the entertainment industry trade...

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Accuses California Apartment Association of Antisemitism

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

Tensions Rise as AHF Calls Out Alleged Antisemitic Language, Unconventional Tactics By Dolores Quintana Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a...

Los Angeles City Council Approves Police Permits for Airbnb Hosts and Short-Term Rentals

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

New Law Targets Party Houses and Crime, Introduces Permitting Requirement The Los Angeles City Council has given the green light...

Suspect in Custody: Los Angeles Man Linked to Serial Homeless Murders and San Dimas Slaying

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

Authorities Seek Information on Additional Crimes Suspect May Have Committed By Dolores Quintana On December 1, a press conference was...

(Video) Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting Sled-tacular successfully brought the holiday spirit to the city’s residents. A large crowd happily sledded,...

Ladytron’s Surprise Gift: ‘All Over By Xmas’ Drops, Unveiling a Festive Classic Decades in the Making

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Liverpool’s Electronic Pioneers Deliver a “Majestic Glam Stomp” for the Holidays By Dolores Quintana At the stroke of midnight, Ladytron,...

Los Angeles County to Open CARE Court One Year Earlier Than Planned

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Program Seeks to Solve Mental Health Crisis Among the Unhoused By Dolores Quintana In a collaborative effort led by Los...

Alarming Surge in Hate Crimes: Los Angeles County’s Troubling Report Reveals Disturbing Statistics

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Report Reveals Alarming Trends and Urgent Need for Action By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations...

Sutton Stracke To Host The Abbey’s 14th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Commemorate World AIDS Day and Raise Funds To Help Those in Need By Dolores Quintana Decking the Halls with heartfelt...

(Video) Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant with real ingredients and delicacies from Italy. You can tell that the restaurant is...

Esquire’s Culinary Picks: Unveiling the Best New Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

Esquire Magazine Spotlights Most Memorable New Eateries  Esquire Magazine has released its year-end lists of the best new restaurants in...

Westfield Century City Unveils Enchanting 25 Days of Christmas Festivities

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

A Winter Wonderland With Festive Delights at Westfield Century City By Dolores Quintana Even though it’s only the week after...

Silencing Classrooms: The Alarming Surge of Educational Gag Orders Across U.S. States

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

PEN America’s Report Unveils Disturbing Trends in 2023 Legislation By Dolores Quintana Mostly conservative lawmakers all over the United States...