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Desert Sun May, 1996
THE LONG ROAD
by Gail A. Paparian
Why will 2,000 cyclists ride 525 miles, at an average of 75 miles per
day, sleep in tent cities each night regardless of the weather, from
June 2-8? If you answered to raise $6 million to make a difference for
HIV/AIDS affected people in the Los Angeles and San Francisco
communities, you are on the right road.
The California AIDS Rides Presented by Tanqueray have become a crucial
part of the funding at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San
Francisco AIDS Foundation . California AIDS Ride presented by Tanqueray
was first held in 1994 when 478 bicyclists raised $1.5 million for
AIDS-related services at the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic at the
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. In 1995, California AIDS Ride 2 raised
$5.5 million to benefit the Goodman Clinic and the San Francisco AIDS
Foundation when 1,874 bicyclists pedaled the 525 miles from San
Francisco and Los Angeles, making it one of the largest AIDS
fund-raising events in the country. This year alone, the riders will
raise more than $6 million.
"When we decided to hold the first AIDS ride in 1994, we never
dreamed that grandmothers would be riding alongside gay men in advanced
stages of AIDS--- all in an effort to raise money to fight this disease,
said Lorri L. Jean, Executive Director of the L.A. Gay and Lesbian
Center. "This event is important not just because of the money the
riders raise for AIDS services, but because of the commitment they
demonstrate to the continuation of services for people living with HIV
disease," added Pat Christen, Executive Director of the San
Francisco AIDS foundation.
Local residents, Nellie Gittelson and Judith Tenny agree. "We're
doing something for the cause in a manner that suits us best, Gittelson
noted. Gittleson said she lost a close family member about two years ago
and is dedicated to finding a cure for AIDS. "It's everyone's
problem, " Gittleson said, "I'm doing it for the future, for
my kids." As dedicated health care professionals, both Gittleson
and Tenny have treated a number of people with AIDS. Many of them have
died.
"It's amazing to me with all of the education available today,
people still associate HIV and AIDS as a gay disease," Judith Tenny
stated. Gittleson and Tenny, both registered nurses, first met about 17
years ago when they worked at the Eisenhower Medical Center. Tenny, a
single parent of two girls, ages 6 and 9, is supervisor at the Cardiac
cath unit at Eisenhower Medical Center. Gittleson, recently remarried,
is the mother of 2, ages 10 and 11. She is currently attending classes
at the Loma Linda Medical Center in the Master's In Nursing program to
earn her Family Nurse Practitioner degree.
In preparation for the ride, Gittleson and Tenny have been training
since November. Tenny has been an active rider in local events for 3
years, Gittleson for the past two. Gittleson made a 1200 mile ride 20
years ago when she was in college. With Tenny's encouragement, Gittleson
returned to the sport. "It's hard because we both have young
children and busy careers," Gittleson said. They try to ride about
50 miles, three or four times a week. When they can't actively ride,
they work at their respective homes with weights and special training
programs.
Nancy Locke, a Los Angeles resident is also making the California AIDS
Ride 3 presented by Tanqueray. She's dedicating the ride to her father
who died from the AIDS virus . "Medical services like those
provided at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center were difficult to find ten
years ago, and my father found himself relying on and benefiting from
these services. His quality of life was helped greatly by an
organization he thought existed only for Los Angeles's gay and lesbian
community. As a straight man with HIV, my father learned that sexual
orientation plays no part when it comes to providing compassionate care
to people with AIDS."
Anna Heath has survived her 10th year of HIV infection. She speaks to
middle school, high school, and college students, medical students and
politicians in an effort to educate, intervene, and prevent the further
spread of HIV. As a heterosexual female with HIV, her message is simple:
"One mistake could change your life, AIDS can happen to
anyone." Gittleson agrees, "AIDS is everybody's problem."
According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
more than 295,473 men, women and children have died of AIDS in the U.S.
over the past 12 years- more than five times the number of people who
perished in the Vietnam War.
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IT COSTS TO BE A VOLUNTEER
by Gail A. Paparian
"I'm passionate about riding a bike and looking forward to the
experience of a lifetime," said local resident and California AIDS
Ride 3 participant, Judith Tenny. To participate, each rider agrees to
raise a minimum of $2500 in donations before making the ride. Gittleson
and Tenny have each raised about $1800 toward that goal. Entry fees must
be paid before the start of the ride on June 2. Gittleson and Tenny, who
are paying their own air fares fly to San Francisco on June 1 to begin
the 525 mile bicycle ride to Los Angeles on June 2.
Both Gittleson and Tenny are using vacation time in order to participate
in the event. Gittleson noted that the bikes have to be professionally
packed. "United Airlines is cooperating with the California AIDS
Ride 3 by honoring the special packaging and allowing the equipment to
be shipped for free as luggage."
Both Gittleson and Tenny would like to raise the money so they do not
have to come up with the remainder of the entry fee on their own. Tax
deductible contributions can be made out to:
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