FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: RHETT LINDSAY
Ride for AIDS Chicago
5537 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
773-989-9400 x233
www.rideforaids.org
r.lindsay@tpan.com

Ride for AIDS Chicago

Raises More than $110,000 for TPAN and BEHIV

Ride Finishes Despite Inclement Weather

More than 70 riders and 30 crew members fought a weekend of hot, windy and inclement weather on June 7 and June 8 to finish the sixth Ride for AIDS Chicago (RFAC), raising more than $110,000 for two of Chicago’s leading HIV/AIDS services organizations, Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) and Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV).

“This is the most successful Ride we’ve ever had, financially and logistically,” said TPAN Executive Director. Rick Bejlovec. “We’re very proud of all the participants who were enthusiastically determined to finish every mile of the Ride. You could see that they were fighting through the bad weather for a cause they really believe in.”

On Saturday, riders faced hot, windy weather which ended with rain and threatening tornados as they reached their destination at Conference Point Center in Williams Bay, Wis. However, as storms left the area, riders and crew members enjoyed the bon fire social later in the evening.

On Sunday, heavy rains and wind closed the route for a half hour near Volo Bog State Park, Illinois, but eventually opened to sunny, warm weather during closing ceremonies as friends and family members greeted riders and crew members on the Norris Student Center’s East Lawn on the campus of Northwestern University.

“Accomplishing the Ride is a very personal and sentimental achievement,” said BEHIV Executive Director, Eric Nelson.  “We want to thank all the riders and crew, but we also want everyone to know that their efforts and support go far beyond the180 miles of the Ride.”

Pledges can be made online at www.rideforaids.org until June 30, and 100% of pledges are returned to TPAN and BEHIV.

Sponsors for this year’s RFAC include:  NBC 5, Fairmont Hotel, GSK, Kuelbs & Rogers Interior Architects, Cheetah Gym, Crew Bar and Grill, Southwest Airlines, Smart Water, Neighborhood Direct, Juice Plus, and On The Fly Bike Repair, along with media sponsors Chicagopride.com, Gay Chicago Magazine, and Windy City Media Group.

Next year’s Ride for AIDS Chicago is scheduled for June 6-7, 2009. 

About Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN)

Test Positive Aware Network empowers people living with HIV through peer-led programming, support services, information dissemination, and advocacy. TPAN also provides services to the broader community to increase HIV knowledge and sensitivity, and to reduce the risk of infection. TPAN publishes the nationally distributed HIV Treatment publication, Positively Aware Magazine. Visit the TPAN Web site, www.tpan.com, for more information.

About Better Existence With HIV (BEHIV)

Founded in 1989, and one of the only comprehensive AIDS service organizations in Chicago, BEHIV provides critical case management services, mental health counseling, housing assistance and alternative therapies for more than 300 people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Chicago and the North Shore. In addition, BEHIV conducts free HIV/STI testing and risk-reduction and prevention programs and educates over 12,000 young people at high schools, middle schools and colleges about how to protect themselves from HIV. For more information about BEHIV, visit www.behiv.org.