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Good morning, Happy 2012, and Happy Chinese New Year!

I am really excited to be sending out this email in order to announce my next chapter in life and especially with AIDS/LifeCycle. On Jan 30, I am joining the staff full time of AIDS/LifeCycle as the new Cyclist Representative. I am so thrilled to be joining such an amazing team and I get to continue being part of this unbelievable experience and community in an even greater capacity. In this role I have the opportunity to meet, talk to, inspire, and be inspired by hundreds of other cyclist and roadies. In short, I have the opportunity to do what I love every day.

I believe that I have talked about it before but I am not kidding when I say that AIDS/LifeCycle has fundamentally changed my life. Changed it for the better and this opportunity is yet another journey along my new path.

The holidays are upon us and 2011 is quickly coming to a close, and what a year it was!

Just a few of the highlights that have happened this year:

• I had the privilege and honor to ride in my first AIDS/LifeCycle event – an event that not only raised a record breaking $13 Million but also changed my life.

• I celebrated the 1-year anniversary of meeting my partner in life, Ray in October. 
  In July, Ray and I officially became domestic partners. We had a lovely little ceremony at the SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in Fountain Valley, CA where an attractive young banker notarized our form while Ray opened up a checking account.

• I went back to school to pursue a second Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration at Cal State Long Beach.

• I celebrated my 1st anniversary as a homeowner in downtown Long Beach.

• I was elected Secretary for HOA board; neighborhood representative for the Long Beach Downtown Residential Council; and President of the West End Community Association.

• I came out as an HIV+ man (2 years undetectable), joined the Positive Pedalers, and had the honor to be a flag bearer at AIDS/LifeCycle 10 Opening Ceremonies.

The best thing that happened this year, though, was the support, love, and encouragement I received from my family, my friends, my neighbors, and everyone who somehow does not fit into one of those buckets. Because of you, I raised nearly $11,000 for AIDS/LifeCycle helping those individuals who could not otherwise afford medical care and services for HIV/AIDS receive that care at the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center.

I am asking you again for your support. I have set fundraising goal of $11,000 by the ride in June. My 2011 goal is to be at $2,200 and I am halfway there. Surely, there are 11 people willing to give $100 (just $10/mo!) between now and Dec 31. Your support is completely tax-deductible for 2011 and is immediately put to use at the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic.

If you cannot afford $100, any amount is greatly appreciated and goes a long way in helping the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Please, find it in your heart to add your name to the list of supporters in this holiday season.

However you celebrate this time of year, I wish best for you and yours. May you have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!

Peace and Love,

Eric

In just under two weeks, we mark World AIDS Day. While I believe everyday should be World AIDS Day, Dec 1 is a day where everyone can unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In honor of the upcoming World AIDS Day, I would like your help by supporting AIDS/LifeCycle. The money has a very direct impact on preventing HIV/AIDS as well as helping those living with the disease.

My challenge between now and Dec 1 is to raise $1,201. Please consider a tax-deductible donation of $120 today. In addition, with the very convenient payment plan option, that is as little as $12 per month! Cheaper than a movie ticket. Please help me reach my goal. Save Lives.

http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/eric.kenney

More information about World AIDS Day can be found at http://aids.gov/world-aids-day.

From June 3rd through June 9th I will ride my bike 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in AIDS/LifeCycle 11. I have committed to raising $11,000 and I need your support. The funds I raise will enable the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation help those impacted by HIV get the treatment and care they need, and provide targeted prevention efforts for high risk populations.

With love and gratitude,

Eric

This past June I had the amazing opportunity to be part of AIDS/LifeCycle 10. The training season for AIDS/LifeCycle 11 officially kicks off Saturday October 22 and I am so excited to be embarking on this journey again. I had some wonderful supporters who helped me raise in excess of $10,000 to help the LA Gay and Lesbian Center with prevention, treatment, and medical services for people at-risk of getting or living with HIV/AIDS. This year, I am shooting high again with a fundraising goal of $11,000. I know this is not an easy task, but I am confident that together we can do this.

This ride has really helped shape my life in so many ways. Probably the biggest thing to come out of this was full acceptance and willingness to discuss openly that I am an HIV+ man. I understand the risks I face in saying it. There is still a lot of fear and misinformation about HIV, which is exactly why I chose to “come-out.” As with anything else that seems foreign, if we know someone who is … gay, black, Muslim, HIV+, insert “other” here … the less afraid of the unknown we become. AIDS/LifeCycle does this for everyone who experiences it, regardless of how it is you do – a rider, a roadie, a volunteer at opening or closing ceremonies, a roadside cheerleader, one of the kids in Bradley, CA who cook us lunch every year, or a monetary supporter.

I am not only a rider but I am also a supporter. Therefore, in asking you for your support, I put my money where my mouth is. I am asking you to consider a donation in support AIDS/LifeCycle. The money we raise is vital, this year in particular. The other night I was at an ALC event, where we learned that the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic is servicing about 2,500 people each year that otherwise would not be able to receive care otherwise. The good news is that the clinic is able to be there for those people and it is because of this ride. The bad news is that the clinic is pretty much at capacity. The LA Gay & Lesbian Center has decided to expand the facility, which will give the opportunity to add four new exam room, two new doctors, increased lab capacity, and ability to service hundreds more people who need these truly life-saving services.

Please take a moment and think about a contribution. I want you to consider a contribution perhaps higher than you think you could, perhaps $500. You are thinking that there is no way I can do something like that. What if I told you that you could spread that over 10 months for just $50 a month, would that change your mind? That is cheaper than a dinner and movie for two and it is entirely tax-deductible. Even though you would be paying over ten months, the entire amount is deductible this year if you make the donation before December 31. If $50 a month is not in your budget, perhaps $20 a month is. Regardless of the amount you donate, whether it be $10, $10 a month, $50, $50 a month, or $1,000 and everything in between it all helps and does save lives. I know you may not think that $10 or $20 is a lot, but that is one more HIV test the Center can provide free of charge. Think of how important that is to the person who receives that test and finds out he or she is HIV- and can continue to take steps to remain so or to find out he or she is HIV+ and now take steps to keep both themself and others safe and healthy. You visit my secure donation page at http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/eric.kenney

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the ride, the Center, the Clinic or anything else. You can reach me by email at alc10@erickenney.com or by phone at 714-224-6004. In addition, if you would like to see where the money goes, I can arrange a tour of the Center and Clinic.

I cannot express how grateful I am for all my supporters. Every person that supports me with a donation, cheers me on, and rides alongside me touches my heart and gives me confidence that together we can end AIDS!

Most Sincerely,

Eric Kenney

Opening Ceremonies and Ride Out – Destination Santa Cruz

The day started very early. 4:10, I believe, so I could get ready and be over to the Cow Palace by 5:00 AM. Dropped off my gear to the “K truck”, which would become a familiar set of faces during the week ahead, and headed inside for the Opening Ceremony. The next hour turned into quite an emotional roller coaster. First, I was offered a spot as a flag bearer with Positive Pedalers during the “Riderless Bike” portion. Seeing everyone was a delight, but once the ceremony actually started, I just cried. The videos, stories, and hearing we raised in excess of $13 Million was almost too much. However, seeing everyone, feeling the energy and emotion, got me pumped and ready to go.

Once Opening Ceremony concluded, we all headed out to our bikes so we could ride out. Can you clusterfuck of bikes? Since I am a member of Poz Peds, we got to ride out first behind the motorcycle escorts. Seeing all the cheering people on the sides of the roads, around the Cow Palace, and anywhere else people could be, I again lost it. I think I cried with a smile for the next 7 miles. I am in awe of that I am doing this ride, that I am part of this amazing experience.

The course of the day did not stay as rosy. Several grueling hills later and just before lunch, the normal lower back pain I get when riding long distances had reached levels beyond what I remembered previously. At lunch I stretched and took some ibuprofen. This helped a little, enough so that I thought I would be able to finish out the day. I was incorrect in this assumption.

Around mile 60 or 65 I physically could not ride anymore. The pain was unbearable. This was only about 20 miles out from lunch, so I knew something was pretty bad off. I pulled off at a safe spot and flagged down a sweep vehicle (eventually). She loaded my bike on the rack and we headed for RS 3. There I met with the medical team to discuss my options. Shelia, the medical team captain, informed me she thought I was in full spasm and would not be able to ride anymore today. She put me on ice, gave me some more ibuprofen, wrapped me in an emergency mylar blanket, and had me lay down. 15-20 mins later I was feeling a bit better. She released me to the SAG bus to head into camp – a familiar site I would come to find out over the next couple of days.

I arrived into camp a bit later and got my gear and headed to my camp spot. Chris, my tent mate showed up soon after to help with the tent. We got it all set up and headed for the shower–a nice hot shower! After the shower, I was still in a bit of pain and upon the earlier recommendation of Sheila, I made my way over to the Sports Medicine tent for further analysis and diagnosis.

Derek, the sports med guy who helped me out, diagnosed my condition as misaligned hips. This was causing my lower back to have to overwork. He cracked and stretched many parts of my body I did not know could or should be cracked. Once he was finished, however, I felt wonderful. He saved my ride!

I went over to the food tent and ate dinner while watching the nightly news of the day and day ahead. This is where the highlight anything that happened during the ride that day, route and weather forecast for the next day, and give an inspirational story about why we are doing this ride. (These came in really handy by Day 5 when all you wanted was to be finished because every pore of your body hurt). Around 9:30, I headed to bed. An emotional day to say the least.

Orientation Day: Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA

The day started at 5:00 AM in Long Beach so I could get to the airport and fly up to SF. I was picked up at 5:30, luggage in tow, and Ray sending me off. Arrived in SF about 3 hours after I left home. We headed over to the hotel to drop off stuff before heading to the Cow Palace. The first thing we did was get in line for the safety video. Nothing else could happen until we sat through the 20 min safety video. The entire registration process took nearly 5 hours, including the time it took to take the historic “30 Year AIDS Ribbon photo”.

The energy and excitement in the air was palpable and it was enough to get me to sign up for ALC 11. It also portended a great week a head.

Once registration was complete, a few of us headed out to get a carbo loaded dinner and hit the sack early. 4:30 AM came awfully early…

Well, it’s here. Saturday morning I fly up to SF and Sunday morning me and 2,500 other riders leave the Cow Palace en route to Los Angeles over the next 7 days.

I cannot say it enough, Thank you! Thank You! Thank you!

As I posted on Facebook earlier today, Thank you for all the support and encouragement from so many people. My friends, my family, my co-workers, and even from people whom I have never met.

Thank you for helping me not only meet my $10,000 fundraising goal, but blowing passed it. As it stands right now, you have helped me raise $10,530!! I am truly humbled.

Thank you to all the skeptics who doubted I would or could do this. By challenging me, it fed my motivation and hunger further than I thought possible.

Thank you to my extraordinary team, Team Long Beach. The many hours of training, the midnight texts, the endless emails, and whatever else along the way.

Thank you to my current cycle rep Jon and former cycle rep James who have been there with words of encouragement and just that little extra push.

Finally, I would like to offer a couple of personal thank you’s for some very important people during this whole process:

To Brian Sherwood: For signing me up for this experience and lending me a bike when I did not have one.
To Melinda Elmer: For keeping the team together and pushing us to do more.
To Jay Lennox: For being a great ride buddy and good friend. You have helped me come to terms with being HIV+ more than you know.
To Allan Acevedo: For giving me the courage to talk openly about my status.
To Eric (and Rufus), Troy and Jason, James and Jordan, Robert and Matt, Brad and Brad, Shelly and Judy, Thom, Andrew and Stephen, and Trevin: For your extremely generous donations.

To my sister, Erin: Who gives me strength by showing me that with even the biggest obstacles in life, you can persevere with a smile.

To my mom and dad: You are the best parents a boy could ever want. Your love and support means more to me than I know how to express.

Finally, To Ray: You are the love of my life and my guiding light. Fpr all the late night dinners, the hours I left you alone so I could go do a training ride, the week apart because I have some crazy notion to ride my bike from SF to LA, and just being there when I have needed you most.

Thank you everyone!

With so much love and gratitude,

Eric
AIDS/LifeCycle 10 – Rider #1596

P.S. I will give a recap of the ride when I return.

P.P.S. Don’t forget about closing ceremonies on Sat Jun 11 4:00 PM. VA Hosipital off Wilshire and the 405 near UCLA.