Cycle for the Cause Raises Funds for NYC LGBT Center HIV Programs

On Sunday, September 20, the riders and crew of the 21st Annual Cycle for the Cause: The Northeast AIDS Ride finished the last leg of their 275-mile journey from Boston back to New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Community Center. The ride raised more than $801,000 to support Center HIV/AIDS programs.

"Every year I'm amazed when people on Cycle for the Cause thank me for the opportunity to cycle hundreds of miles and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of The Center. "It's the people on the ride and their dedication to ending this epidemic and supporting those who live with HIV and AIDS that brings me back again and again."

Longtime partners Jesse Johnson and Marcus Woollen have a very personal reason for doing the ride. Woollen has cycled for the past five years, sometimes on teams, but more often alone, so as not to play favorites among his many friends. His partner has worked the support team for the past three years, driving the relief trucks, cooking meals and helping boost flagging riders.

In 2003, Johnson was diagnosed with AIDS; doctors said he only had two T-cells left, and most likely would never leave the hospital. Miraculously, he improved and was released.

"I went right to the Center, and burst into tears in the lobby," said Johnson. "The front desk worker gave me a hug, and told me everything was going to be okay. They connected me to services that could help me."

The Center provides many services for people living with HIV/AIDS. For example, the proceeds of this Cycle for the Cause will be used to pay for HIV tests and Safe Sex Kits, help screen and refer LGBT adults in need of help, train youth as leaders in the the fight against HIV/AIDS, and send at-risk youth to their safe summer camp, where they'll learn how to avoid HIV through peer counseling.

It was the support Johnson got from The Center that allowed him to feel comfortable disclosing his status in from of the other riders. After days of strenuous physical toil, many participants experience an emotional catharsis that allows them to unburden themselves. Johnson said, "It felt like I was coming out of the closet again, but it helped so many other people share their stories about people they knew and cared about."

Johnson was also prompted to disclose his status with regret, after a young friend of his who was diagnosed with HIV in his 20s committed suicide.

"I always wished or wondered if it would have made a difference if I had disclosed my status earlier, and he could have realized he knew someone who was a long-term survivor who was healthy and happy," said Johnson.

Now the two do Cycle for the Cause to raise funds and awareness around HIV, because, as Woollen said, "we want to make sure that the services that were there for Jesse when he needed them most are there for the next person who needs them."

"I believe The Center is the best place for people newly diagnosed with HIV to come and be connected to the vast array of services organizations in New York City to get the best level of care possible," added Woollen.

Ride Coordinator Steve Bratton championed this outlook. Bratton has been involved in the ride since 1995. He has seen the ride grow exponentially; this year's event had 158 riders and 50 crew members. He has lost many friends to HIV/AIDS, and has many friends, including his partner, who are living with HIV/AIDS.

"What inspires me is meeting all of the riders and crew each year and learning about their stories of why they join the ride," said Bratton. "Experiencing the community and all of the love, kindness and support during the event keep me going all year. Giving people a life-changing experience and making life-long friends is so rewarding."

Bratton has been involved in all aspects of the ride, having done the production side and the beneficiary side. Seeing the funds he raises help people every day is amazing, he said. He touted this year's top fundraising team, Goldman Sachs and Family, who raised more than $403,000. He loves being part of something that helps save people's lives.

Johnson urged community members to participate in next year's ride, saying, "For anyone thinking about doing it, there's nothing more magical than spending three days of your life using your energy and physical being to make a difference, and that's what being in a giving thing is: physically exhausting but emotionally rejuvenating."