Today The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center asks you to join them in the fight to end AIDS as part of The Center’s annual Cycle for the Cause bike ride from Boston to NYC, which takes place September 15th-18th.
Over the past 22 years, the ride has raised more than $10 million to fund The Center’s critical HIV/AIDS programs and services. This year the target is to break the record and raise over $1 million for the first time. While treatments are available to help manage the disease, the 133,000 New Yorkers and 1.2 million Americans living with HIV continue to experience serious adverse health effects and overwhelming stigma. The campaign looks to ensure that we “Don’t Go BACKWARDS” in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Funds raised from the ride this year can:
Help to prevent more than 78,400 potential HIV transmissions in the diverse communities served by The Center.
Allow The Center to administer as many as 96,000 free, rapid HIV tests , so that everyone has the ability to know their status.
Provide referrals to care for more than 104,000 people who are HIV positive, giving them access to the things they need to stay well.
Ensure that The Center can help hundreds of LGBT youth deal with substance use and get treatment.
Increase The Center’s outreach to educate and inspire more than a million young people to join the fight to end AIDS.
For every $100 raised, the center can:
Help to prevent 7 potential HIV transmissions by distributing safer sex kits to at risk LGBT youth and adults.
Allow The Center to administer 8 free, rapid HIV tests , ensuring that more people are empowered to know their status.
Provide referrals to care for 10 people who are HIV positive to help them lead happy, healthy lives.
Today some prominent supporters (models Naomi Campbell and Nina Adgal, luxury jewelry designer Alexis Bitter, costume designer Pat Fields and top blogger Danielle Bernstein) will post over their social media network, specially created videos from our ‘Don’t Go Backwards’ campaign. The campaign symbolizes the need to keep going forward in the fight against and to not go backwards!
A ‘backwards’ gallery featuring supporters personal videos and stories can be found on Instagram via @lgbtcenternyc starting today as supporters post all in unison as we march towards the September 15- 18th ride date.
You can help by going to cycleforthecause.org to find out more details and to donate. Please also show your support in the movement to not go BACKWARDS by posting your video on Instagram using #CycleForTheCause.