Raising money & awareness one kilometre at a time

Let's get serious about sex.

And no, this is not a tongue-and-cheek dating advice bit. This is about respecting our natural instincts and dealing with the consequences.

And one of those consequences is the possibility of death. At the end of 2005 there over 60,000 people in Canada living with HIV -- up from 56,000 in 2003. It is estimated that between 2,800 and 5,200 new HIV infections occur in Canada each year -- though many are not reported right away since approximately 30% of people carrying the virus are not aware of their condition.

AIDS is a reality. It is not a "gay-disease," or a consequence of immoral actions -- it is a consequence of unprotected play (bodily fluid transmission of any sort). As such, heterosexuals, homosexuals, transsexuals and bisexuals are all at risk. Essentially if you play...there's the chance you'll pay.

In fact, in recent years a trend has arisen. Canadian women now represent a growing proportion of positive HIV test reports. This demographic now accounts for about 25% of all HIV diagnosis in Canada over the past three years. And -- in direct contradiction to biased and prejudiced thought that this is a "gay disease" -- heterosexual contact accounted for 58.3% of positive HIV test reports among women in 2002. In Ontario alone, women accounted for 27.8% of all positive HIV test reports.

Hence the importance of continuing to fight the stigma and prejudices attached to the disease. And the importance of initiatives such as the Toronto People with AIDS 8th annual Friends for Life bike rally. In a little over a week, 300 hundred cyclists will set out for a 600-kilometre bike trip from Toronto to Montreal. One of these cyclists is Jill Allen -- an avid cyclist, a Tour d'Afrique promoter and coffee-swilling staff-member of Duke's Cycle (on Queen). She, along with the other 299 cyclists, are committed to raising at least $2,000 each to help people living with the disease. If you plan on going out for lunch this weekend, then this is my challenge. Pick a cheaper spot. Rather than spending $25 on one meal...opt to spend $10 -- then take the $15 in savings and log on to Jill's sponsorship page. Donate that $15 to the Friends for Life cause. You even get a tax receipt for every donation over $15.

This is a cause close to my heart. Ten years ago, last January, my best friend died due to complications brought on by AIDS. He was a major influence in my life and spent the last years of his life dedicating himself to AIDS awareness (and responsible recovery). A tireless supporter of education, he worked at Toronto People with AIDS Foundation and helped people to learn about the disease, about dignity and about humanity through speaking engagements at schools, treatment centres and hospitals. He taught me that people live with this disease...they are not dying from it. He taught me respect. It's a gift I will never forget.

And, yes, I put money where my mouth is: I did donate.

If you want to read my editorial regarding Tom Miller, my friend, please go to: http://three.fsphost.com/romana/tom%20miller.pdf
If you want more information on AIDS, please go to: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dc-ma/aids-sida/index_e.html
If you want more information on the Bike for Friends rally, please go to: http://www.bikerally.org/
If you want more information or want to donate to Jill's efforts to raise money for this great cause, go to: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/personalPage.aspx?EventID=5250&LangPref=en-CA&RegistrationID=156976