When Eric Bengston took Landmark Education’s Self Expression and Leadership program, he used his project as an opportunity to create a large and effective Colorado team for the California-based AIDS/Lifecycle bike ride. Two years ago he participated in the event, and there were only a few riders from Colorado. Bengston’s team of dozens of riders, roadies and supporters is on its way to raising $100,000 through a variety of fundraisers. Bengston’s efforts attracted the attention of Out Front Colorado, a leading publication for Colorado’s gay community. Out Front’s feature story runs below.
Colorado Cyclists Biking for AIDS
On June 1, the largest group from Colorado ever to participate in the AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC) event will bike 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in an effort to end AIDS and provide support for AIDS research.
This year, 34 members of Team Colorado ALC will join over 3,000 other participants from around the world. Each cyclist and roadie is required to raise a minimum of $2,500, which will help the beneficiaries continue to provide critical services and education and also increase awareness about HIV/AIDS among participants, their donors and the general public.
AIDS/LifeCycle, co-produced by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, is designed to end the pandemic and human suffering caused by AIDS and address the widespread misconception that HIV/AIDS are no longer a problem. More people are living with HIV/AIDS today than ever before, which means a much greater need for services.
Today, a total of 39.5 million people now live with HIV/AIDS. Over 2 million are under the age of 15. Since the start of the AIDS epidemic, 1.5 million Americans have been infected with HIV and more than 550,000 have died of AIDS. The members of Team Colorado ALC will be hosting fundraising events in April and May. For more information or to sponsor Team Colorado ALC, please contact Eric Tengston at 303-522-6988 or email [email protected].
