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Thom Kam
This will be the 9th HIV/AIDS fund-raising ride that I will have done in the course of 16 years. Within that time I have also been surviving living with the virus and consider myself very fortunate to be healthy and able to take on this challenge. Again. I ride for several reasons. I ride for the memory of friends of mine who are no longer here. I have found peace with going on without them but I miss some of them immensely. Training for this upcoming ride, the ride itself and the energy put into fund-raising helps me remember these people and is a small price for preventing the loss of more lives. Doing the ride is my way of giving back to The Center, the beneficiary of the Braking the Cycle ride. Fifteen years ago when I was waiting through a pre-existing condition clause period of my new employer's insurance provider, I got very ill with HIV-related pneumonia. I turned to services at The Center to get the medical care, medications and hospital stays I needed to survive. I probably wouldn't be here today if not for The Center. I also believe in the value of all the work done there: the self acceptance and empowering programs they provide enabling their clients to become productive, contributing members of the community, the city and our world. Another reason I ride is a bit more selfish. Few things make me feel more alive than physically and emotionally pushing myself through hundreds of miles in the company of all these other caring riders and crew members. I find joy and encouragement in spending time with people committing themselves to doing good for others. I feel safe and honored to ride with all of them. Thanks for reading this and thank you so much for thinking to sponsor me on this Braking the Cycle ride! Peace and aloha, Thom Click here to make a donation in support of Thom. |