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Todd Peter
Participating in Braking The Cycle gives me an opportunity to make a difference. It allows me the chance to help others by raising the money required to assist the many HIV/AIDS related programs provided by The LGBT Community Center. In fact in the past three years alone, Braking The Cycle has delivered 1.2 million dollars to fund these services! It also gives me the opportunity to change perceptions about the disease, and what it is like to be someone living with HIV. Whether it is discussing the high costs of healthcare and medications required to manage HIV, or simply telling others how HIV/AIDS continues to effect me and my community, my hopes are that by discussing the issues and being public about my status, I can be a personal reminder that while there have been great strides in managing the illness, the fight is far from over! I am riding because new statistics are daunting. NYC remains the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. with more than 100,000 New Yorkers living with HIV, however thousands do not even know they are infected. 33% of all HIV infections are to women. HIV does not discriminate. I am riding for my friends who share the everyday challenges of living with HIV/AIDS. It is with courage, determination, and perseverance that I continue to see you thrive and make a difference in the communities where you live. You inspire me more than words can express. I am riding for anyone living with HIV/AIDS, who, due to the stigma associated with this disease, feel they must remain closeted about their status. I am riding in memory of my friends who have died of AIDS. I am riding for the friends and families who survive them. I am riding for Dwight. Click here to make a donation in support of Todd. |