Dear Friend,

Since its inception in 1995, I have participated in the Boston to New York Aids Ride, bicycling over a thousand miles and raising over $14,000 for Fenway Community Health Center. I hope you will be able to join in supporting me this year.

In Massachusetts, as well as most other states, the number of new Aids cases peaked in 1993 and has been decreasing steadily ever since. Although this is welcome news, it is unfortunately not an opportunity to become complacent–the number of infected individuals continues to increase, and with it, the amount of money needed to support Fenway's commitment to providing care regardless of ability to pay. And despite our efforts, Aids has become the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people aged 25-44. Beyond the U.S., where wealth, education, and skilled health care are less common, the statistics are even grimmer.

Last fall, while Hurricane Floyd was drenching the east coast and turning the fifth Boston New York Ride into a triathlon, I was in Cambodia, welcoming my son Julian into our family. Cambodia is considered to have the highest HIV infection rate of any country outside sub-Saharan Africa and 5% of deaths there are due to Aids–ten times more than here. I wish I could pull Julian behind me in his bike cart on the Ride and that proceeds from the Ride more directly benefited his country of origin, but I'm glad that at least I have this opportunity to think globally while acting locally.

Mayor Menino of Boston has been very supportive of the Aids Rides and has pledged the support of the city until it's over. I am one of a small group riders who are following Menino's lead, have not given up and are participating in our fifth Ride. In addition, for several years, I have been part of the Ride's Training Committee. This has meant leading rides, usually once a month through pretty parts of Greater Boston, for others who are working up to three solid days of hilly riding. This has been an exciting opportunity to meet other riders and use my experience and skill to give back to the community.

There are many other volunteer opportunities with the Ride. If your schedule doesn't allow you to take a long weekend in September and be part of the crew, please consider helping on Day Zero (the 14th) or calling 617-859-8282 to learn more. If you'd like to help, but being an official volunteer doesn't work for you, I'd be happy to talk about other possibilities.

I look forward to your participation in whatever way you can.

     Sincerely,
        Alan Frank (rider 102B)