Hi friends,
Ouch. Most of the Sweet Team and I rode 100 miles today. Shane, Trish, Paula and I braved the 95 degrees (111 degrees counting the heat reflected off the pavement) for our last really long training ride before the AIDS LifeCycle while our fifth teammate Jennifer Houston rode 60 sweltering miles in Los Angeles. You go girls!
Shane, Trish, Paula and I joined about 40 other riders on this route today. While I’ve done this ride four times, the dedication of riders never ceases to move me. I mean, what kind of nut jobs do this every weekend for four to six months? Nut jobs who are passionate about ending HIV / AIDS, really good, nice, passionate nut jobs.
Today, I had the extraordinary pleasure of riding with an 82-year-old man who helped me get through my first ever training ride eight years ago. Not only did he talk to me for 30 miles about his life and what it was like to lose his son to AIDS, he also inspired me not to quit. I kept thinking, “He’s 47 years older than you. If he can keep going, you can keep going.” It was awesome to see him still out there, still up to his old tricks. Being healthy is a gift. Use it.
In January 2007, I became the legal guardian of a then-15-year-old girl who was born with HIV. This ride has never been more personal to me. When Lexi came to live with me, she was very ill. She had 26 Tcells (a healthy person has 800-1200) and a viral load of 160,000. We dealt with many medical crises in our first few months together, including shingles, which I wouldn’t wish on anyone. In fact, if anyone knows of a shingles cure fundraiser, please sign me up. Those things are awful.
I have had a lot of opportunities in the last 18 months to interact with the HIV / AIDS care system. I’m back on my bike this year in to raise money for the programs that have saved Lexi’s life over and over again. Thanks to amazing programs like the East Bay AIDS Clinic and the Downtown Youth Clinic and HIV / AIDS drug research, specifically a remarkable new drug called Isentress, my little girl has had an undetectable viral load (under 50) for eight months. Her immune system is rebounding and every day I get to watch her grow stronger and stronger. This year, I’m riding for her. I look forward to the day that she’s old enough and strong enough to ride with me.
The AIDS LifeCycle will raise $11 million this year for these vital services. Hooray! Each rider pledges to raise $2,500 to ride. Shane, Jennifer and I have exceeded our minimum pledges. Trish and Paula could use a little help. If you’d like to make a donation or offer words of wisdom / encouragement, please click on the rider below:
Paula, rider 3376
Trish, rider 3377
Shane, rider 3347
Jennifer, rider 5616 bonus feature: a rare picture of Jenn in a dress
Shannon, rider 2846 bonus feature: a picture of me and Lexi
We ride out, adorned in our Sweet bike gear, on Sunday, June 1, from San Francisco and arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 7, after 545 miles of pedaling. If you’re doing the AIDS LifeCycle and would like to be a part of Team Sweet, please email me hasta pronto. My mom, who met me midway on my century today to bring me a change of socks, will be driving a Team Sweet support vehicle the entire ride. She did the ride with me to celebrate her 50th birthday seven years ago. She rocks.
To recap, ouch, ouch, ouch, stay healthy, yay for Lexi and join us in this fight, if you are able. Have a great week everyone.
Stay Sweet,
Shannon
p.s. The Advocate did a story on what LGBT kids what to be when they grow up, featuring Lexi. She wants to be a veterinarian. Check it out!
Tags: AIDS lifecycle, lesbian fundraising, meet Sweet
