7 days …
560 miles …
1 cause …

More than 50 bicyclists will ride across New York State to raise money and awareness for HIV and AIDS.

By MAGGIE RAMSAY

Tobie Olsan of Brighton had to watch as the disease consumed her friend's life. Her friend, who also worked with her as a nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital, was diagnosed with HIV nine years ago. The disease slowly progressed into AIDS and took his life last year.

But it wasn't the only person Olsan saw die of the disease.
She began working with AIDS patients and their families in the 1980s when the epidemic started to grow.

Now, after the death of her friend, she wants to make a difference.
To do so she, along with Brighton residents Peter Pullano and Kevin Judge, is pedaling 560 miles across New York in the third annual Empire State AIDS Ride fund-raiser for seven days, which started Sunday, Aug. 14.

"For me there is an advocacy dimension in doing this ride," Olsan said. "AIDS still needs to be on the radar screen and need attention."

The purpose of the ride is to raise money for AIDS agencies, since funding has been cut for several years, said Judge, the president of AIDS Rochester board. "We are doing more with less," Judge said. "People are living longer with the disease, and they need additional resources." Agencies depend on more fund-raising dollars to provide those services, he added.

The three Brighton residents, along with nine others, are part of the A.R.iders team. Their team represents AIDS Rochester, a non-profit organization that serves clients with HIV/AIDS and helps spread awareness of the disease.

They will bike alongside teams from Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and New York City over the seven-day course, pedaling about 80 to 85 miles a day. The group starts the trek in Niagara Falls and ends in lower Manhattan.

Riders camp each night pitched by volunteer crews, and have two hot meals catered daily. The money benefits AIDS Rochester and three other AIDS agencies.

Individual riders have a minimum fund-raising goal of $3,200, before riding. So far, the A.R.iders have raised more than $60,000 toward the cause. Out of the total money raised through the ride, half is divided proportionate to what each agency raises.

"The more we raise, the more we get out of that second 50 percent," said Marty Gray, development coordinator. Last year alone, she said, the organization received $43,000 through of the event.

As of December 2004, 3,000 HIV-positive people lived in the Finger Lakes region, according to Paula Silvestrone, executive director of AIDS Rochester. An estimated 25 percent of people who are HIV positive in the country don't know they're infected. Last year approximately 100 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in Monroe County. And the rate of new cases among women, particularly Afican-Americans, is steadily increasing.

Even though the riders are working for the same cause, their motivations differ. "I feel a direct responsibility to take my volunteerism to another level," Judge said. "People have a responsibility to give back to the community to help raise awareness."

After volunteering at an AIDS camp for two summers, Judge felt compelled to become involved in AIDS Rochester. "It was something that drew me in," he said. "I have seven children, and I don't want them to live in a world to fear this type of disease for their children or themselves."

Olsan, who is taking the trip for the first time, said there are three motivating factors for her. Besides having lost a friend to the disease, Olsan wants to raise awareness and money to go toward fighting it, she said. Olsan who started training for the event in January 2004, also is riding to celebrate her 50th birthday. "Personally for me," she said, "this is a year I wanted to do something meaningful and significant. It is a celebration of being healthy."

Olsan, who was just a casual "Canal" rider before, said this is a big achievement. "It is not only an opportunity to make a contribution, but a chance to step our of your comfort zone and see what you are capable of doing," she said.

The experience has opened her heart as well, she said. For example, while riding through a small town she fell off her bike, and a neighbor rushed to get her a bandage, she said. "It was wonderful," she said. "You get to see humans at their best."

Olsan will be met by her family and friends in New York City when she crosses the finish line. "This is what keeps you pedaling on," she said. "The kindness of strangers and support of family and friends is the primary force that keeps you going out there."

Peter Pullano, who rode last year, broke his collarbone while training a couple weeks ago. "I really was looking forward to doing the whole ride," Pullano said. "I am proud of the rest of my team, and I am going to miss them."

Instead of riding, Pullano will be meeting his teammates in Niagara Falls, and will be following them by car until they reach Charlotte Beach the next day. Pullano started volunteering at AIDS Rochester after his brother, Patrick, died of AIDS in 1991.

"After he died I decided it would be my living memorial to him," said Pullano, who is now a member of the AIDS Rochester board. Even though he can't participate, he is happy to hand over his $8,000 he raised, and to cheer on his comrades. "When I first rode, someone told me, 'wear your helmet, stay hydrated, stay safe and have fun,' and the same applies to them," he said.