Wishing Zaidy a fond farewell at Queens Park
In 2010, spurred on by my 60th birthday, a very unfit me committed to participate in the 11th Annual Friends For Life Bike Rally in support of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. After 5 months of dedicated, and sometimes not so dedicated training, I along with 400 other riders and crew, biked 610 km from Toronto to Montreal over 6 days.
At the end of each day…..tired, dirty, hungry and thirsty, we pitched our tents, laid out our sleeping bags, inflated our mattresses which were always over or under inflated, and adapted to using port-a-potties. If someone had asked 12 months previous to departure if I could see myself doing this, I would have laughed hysterically, and screamed NO.
With the support & pledges of friends, family and associates and complete strangers, I crossed the finish line an emotional heap feeling the bitter-sweet emotion of having achieved a physical challenge and emotional experience never imagined, having successfully raised $28,750, the most any individual rider has raised in the 11 year history of the rally.
Believe me, there were moments that I wanted to give up, but I rode fueled with the thoughts and memories of the hundreds of people that I have known over the years who have been infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and other life threatening illnesses.
I rode for a close friend who died of brain cancer shortly after I crossed the finish line. I rode with the thoughts of my brother whose Multiple Sclerosis had and continues to rapidly advanced. I rode for a lifelong friend, who at the age of 60 had his life taken away from him by Dementia. He still lives in a world that is not fully understood.
This year, I will also ride for my 4 year old grandson Noah, our newest grandchild Nathan, born January 21st at 11 lbs 11 oz. (the sumo wrestler) and the rest of the children in the world, in the hopes they will have healthy futures. As I ride, I will also remember all the lives have been affected by the devastating earthquakes and other natural disasters around the world.
There was a lot of alone time spent on the road during the 6 days of the ride. It provided me with so much time for thought and reflection, not only about me and my life and what I am doing with it, but about this world and the part we play in it. It made me question my role and responsibilities as a citizen of this world.
One of the most rewarding and meaningful aspects of last year’s ride was hearing from so many riders that my fundraising achievement has motivated them to return in 2010 with a renewed and increased commitment. It is only the beginning of March and it appears that the motivation has surfaced and the challenges are being exercised.
I too have renewed my commitment. My training has started in preparation for the July 25th departure for Montreal. My fundraising goal is twofold. First to march my 2010 achievement of $28,750. Second would be to raise the bar for everyone and surpass it.
Continuing to raise the awarenss of HIV/AIDS is also a part of my commitment.
These goals can ONLY be accomplished with partners like you. Your donation helps fund much needed services for the thousands of men, women and children still living with HIV/AIDS. The stigma attached to this devasting disease still exists. The discrimination seen and felt in the work, social and living enironments continues to create difficulty for those who are affected.
The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation offers a welcoming space to connect with those affected, access practical support services, and get assistance to navigate the sometimes complex system of care required.
The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation exists to promote the health and well-being of all people living with HIV/AIDS by providing accessible, direct and practical support services.
The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation is the largest direct support service agency for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada. For more information, please visit www.pwaToronto.com
The PWA nees your support to continue heightening the awareness of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS has not disappeared. HIV/AIDS is very much alive within our communities around the world. HIV/AIDS continues to affect and destroy an incomprensive number of lives each day, week, month and year.
Your financial generosity is greatly needed and very much appreciated. As a partner in this worthwhile effort, I would like to ask you if you could encourage those that you know to support us in our efforts? All of us will ride with pride knowing that we have the support of partners who care and are determined to help us surpass the challenge.
If you know of someone who is participating in the 12th Annual Friends For Life Bike Rally in support of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, please show them your support by visiting www.bikerally.org and providing a secure online pledge. If you don’t know anyone personally, your contribution to my goal will bring me closer to surpassing last year’s goal of $28,750.
As long as there is a reason, the ride will continue.
Warmest regards,
Harvey Malinsky
