aids, aidslifecycle, bike ride, foundation, oprah winfrey, san francisco

San Francisco AIDS Foundation – AIDSLifecycle

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Tony’s California AIDS Ride – AIDS/LifeCycle Story:


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Sometimes we want to help others, but we are so overwhelmed by all that needs to be done in this world that we don’t know where to start. We hope that tomorrow or next week, when everything calms down, we will be able to become the actively compassionate human beings we know we can be. We put off goodness like we put off going on a diet.

On 01 January 1994, I realized that there was more to life than: guzzling an expensive bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay; being the belle of the ball; speaking of what others need to work on; and/or sitting daily in the same pose. So, I bought a 10 year old, El Dorado Bianchi Road Bike. And, I began a 6-month intense cycling training for a cycling event called the California AIDS Ride #2.

In May of 1994 (on Mother’s Day), I left San Francisco with $3.00 in my pocket, no idea of how I was going to return, a questionable bike, the fear of failure, and began to cycle (along with 1500 other cyclist) toward West Hollywood, CA.

Seven days, 575 miles later, I arrived in West Hollywood. At which point, I realized it is possible to step outside of your normal routine. I realized it is possible to empower yourself while assisting others. I realized that I wasn’t alone in my ideas of creating a better world. And, I realized that miracles can occur (after all, I made it back home with $3.00 in my pocket) .

Each year, I cycle 575 miles (from San Francisco to Los Angeles). Each year, I raise a minimum of $2500.00 to participate. And each year, I complete the ride knowing I did the right thing.

In June 2006, for my 9th Year, I will participate in an event to benefit the San Francisco AIDS Foundation called AIDSLifeCycle #5. Over the years, I have personally raised over $35,000.00 to assist in research, and AIDS services for individuals in need.

Question: Why do I continue to participate?

Answer:

1. Supporting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (and it’s beneficiaries) is a great cause.

Established in 1982, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation is one of the oldest and largest community-based AIDS service organizations in the United States. The mission of the agency is to end the pandemic and the human suffering caused by HIV. To that end, they provide a comprehensive array of services — including financial benefits counseling, client advocacy, housing assistance, HIV prevention efforts, needle exchange, and the California AIDS Hotline (800-367-AIDS) — that directly serve over 100,000 individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. They reach over 1.5 million others through community outreach, public policy efforts, prevention campaigns, and the internet.

2. “African Americans account for more than one-third of the cases reported since the beginning of the epidemic and half of all diagnoses in 2003… . ..

African American women between the ages of 25 and 44 are 13 times more likely to die of the disease than their counterparts. According to CDC data reported through December of 2001, African Americans were the largest group of young people affected by HIV, and accounted for 56 percent of all HIV infections ever reported among those aged 13-24.”

3. Participating in the California AIDS Ride & AIDSLifeCycle changed my life… .. .

In the beginning, I participated in the ride because I needed “something to tell the grandchildren.” I wanted to be able to say, I did something good with my life. I wanted to be able to say “Yes, I rode my bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles.”

And as part of my training, I found the need to learn proper stretching techniques. So, I attended Mary Friedland’s Yoga classes at 24 Hour Fitness. Since then, I’ve went from a bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay (a day) to teaching Iyengar Yoga classes,

4. It gives me the opportunity to empower others (by my example).

Over the past 11 years, personal friends, family, corporate sponsors, and strangers have joined me in my determination to be part of the solution. Many of my friends have put down “the juice,” and become philanthropists and athletes.

It’s the medics, the sponsors (who I’ve nickled and dimed), the family, Jane Elizabeth Evenson Photography, Mike’s Bikes – Sausalito, the cheerleaders, the bike techs, DJ “Fresh Freddy,” the gear teams, the yoga teachers, the bike security, the motorcycle crew, “Tiger Honey Pot” – the band, the caterer, the logistics team, the safety team, The San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the DFL Cycling Team, Spill Kincaid – The Goat in the Tower, Brooke Thorton – Manicaretti – Italian Food Importer,The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, Jamie Mastin & Tad Natwick – Fat Tire Beer, Soulcraft Bikes, Adrea Stern – Satori Yoga Studio, Tyson – American Cyclery, Kyle, Jens, Norwegian Cruisliner – Tom, Woody, Tyson, Jim, Drew, Jason C., Jane, Helen, Housemate Rabiah, Shanghi Thunder, Sonya, Iyengar Yoga Teacher – Mary Friedland, Mr. Rio, Shiv, Woody, Cannondale, Powerhouse – San Francisco, Mrs. Eason – my mother, your mother, Ginger, “The Angels,” Lisa Hines – Bella Cucina Catering, Julie Ashby, Leslie Abraham – Clif Bar, Ciara, Mary Hogan, Black Rock – Ireland, In & Out Burger – Ventura, Donald, Carl’s Jr. – Paso Robles, ‘The Unoffical Pitstop’- Lompoc to Oprah Winfrey The Farm Bakery & Cafe – Los Aptos, Boudin Catering – San Francisco, Uncle Michael, and then some …..that made this whole thing happen.

5. At the age of 42, I stare out the window and smile.

“But whether I’m the rose
Of sheer perfection,
Or freckle on the nose
Of life’s complexion,
The cinder or the shiny apple of its eye.

I gotta fly once,
I gotta try once,
Only can die once, right, sir?
Ooh, love is juicy,
Juicy, and you see
I gotta have my bite, sir!

Get ready for me, love,
‘Cause I’m a “comer,”
I simply gotta march,
My heart’s a drummer.
Don’t bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade!”

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Don’t put off goodness like we put off a diet.

We all need something to tell the grandchildren.

Iyengar Yoga Classes with Tony Eason

AIDSLifecycle

Published by ynottony

SEO Consultant,, Yoga Teacher, Event Manager, Road Cyclist, Marathon Runner Tony Eason on Google+”