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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
TPAN and BEHIV Announce
Ride for AIDS Chicago Dates and Rally Information
The two-day, 180-mile Ride for AIDS Chicago (RFAC) will take place on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday June 8, 2008. Approximately 150 riders and 30 crew members will be bicycling to Lake Geneva raising money for Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) and Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV), two organizations that care for those living with HIV and AIDS.
“We’re happy to be partnering once again with BEHIV for this fundraising event,” said TPAN Executive Director Rick Bejlovec. “The Ride provides financial support to two of Chicago’s HIV/AIDS organizations and is a great way to help people kickoff their summer recreational and physical activities.”
Bejlovec also mentioned that 100% of all pledges are returned to the agencies.
Riders and potential riders are encouraged to attend one orientation session. Sessions are offered Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. Both sessions will be held at the TPAN office located at 5537 N. Broadway. Riders may register online at www.rideforaids.org beforehand. The registration fee is $85. RFAC organizers challenge riders and crew members to raise $1,000 each in pledges.
Teams have already been training for the RFAC. Training rides take place every Saturday at 9 a.m. through May 31 and start at the Margate Park Field House, 4921 N. Marine Dr. Riders are encouraged to take part in training rides to help build the endurance and strength needed to complete the 180-mile ride.
An RFAC rider rally is planned for Wednesday, May 7, 6 p.m., at Crew Bar and Grill, 4804 N. Broadway. The rally will be a celebration for the riders, crew, and staff that will travel 180 miles to help raise money to support the services offered at TPAN and BEHIV. Supporters may attend and pledge to riders the day of the rally.
For more information about signing up for the Ride for AIDS Chicago, orientation dates, rider rallies, training rides and making a pledge to a rider, please go to www.rideforaids.org.
Sponsors for the RFAC are NBC5, Fairmont Hotel, Southwest Airlines, Cheetah Gym, Smart Water, Neighborhood Direct, Kuelbs and Rogers Ltd., and Crew Bar and Grill. Media Sponsors are Gay Chicago Magazine, Chicagopride.com and Windy City Media Group.
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.
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