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Bed-Stuy Resident Will Trek 275 Miles to Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness
By The Changeling | August 13, 2007
One of the most sobering illustrations of the disparities in health can be seen when you compare the rates of HIV/AIDS in Central Brooklyn to the rates across the city. In Central Brooklyn (which includes Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Brownsville) the proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS is twice the rate of Brooklyn overall and 60% higher than the overall New York City rate. To read more about these health disparities click here.
Today I thought that I would feature a Bed-Stuy resident who has set out to do something about this epidemic in our community. Her name is Suzy Ritholz, and she is participating in Braking the Cycle, a grueling 3-day event to raise money for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Here is her story.
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
I have recently moved to MacDonough St., and have been so touched by the sense of neighborliness and community that I have experienced. Thank you all for making me feel so welcome. I feel so fortunate, in fact, that I have been inspired to do something that I haven’t done in years; I am attempting what some might consider the near impossible and training (more like bleeding, sweating, and crying) over the next 30 days to ride a bike for @300 miles to raise at least $3500 to help stop HIV/AIDS in NYC/Brooklyn!
In 1989 I lost one of my very best friends to AIDS (he was only 23), and just 2-years ago, another dear friend was diagnosed with HIV. I am riding for them, and the thousands of lives in NYC that are touched on a daily basis by this dreaded disease. Sure, there’s been some progress, but we still have a long road ahead of us before we find a cure or an end to this madness. According to the Brooklyn AIDS Task Force statistics Brooklyn has more cases of HIV/AIDS and is spreading faster than any other place in the whole country.
Every penny raised goes to help someone with HIV/AIDS, and there is a link below that makes it very easy to make a contribution. I do not keep any of the money you donate. So, please make tax-deductible donation today!
If you don’t already know who I am, or if we haven’t already met, just look for the petite blonde woman on a red bike — either early in the AM or in the PM. Better still, swing by if you’d like to talk about this some more. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Suzy Ritholz
319 MacDonough Street
718-398-1130
Here’s more information about the ride, and a link for donations:
I am riding 275 miles across 3 states in 3 days to raise money for those affected by HIV and AIDS. I am registered to ride in Braking the Cycle 2007, and I need your help. Please sponsor me by making a tax-deductible donation.
All you have to do is click the following link, and enter your billing information. Whether it’s $10, $100, or $1000, every penny will help a person living with HIV or AIDS.
My goal is to raise at least $3500, and I know I can reach that goal with your help.
Thank you for your support.
Follow This Link to visit the website.
To see images of last year’s Braking the Cycle ride:
August 13th, 2007 at 11:57 am
To Suzy:
We’re on Hancock and also know what it’s like to fall in love with Bed-Stuy and lose loved ones to HIV/AIDS. We also know the Center very well and will continue to support it forever. Tell us what you need.
~Nina
ninamelendez@gmail.com
August 13th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Nina:
Thank you for whatever support you are able to give. I’ve sent you an e-mail, but generally the best way is to go to: http://www.brakingthecycle.com and make your contribution by following the “donation” link and entering my name “Suzy Ritholz.” They accept credit cards!
Ride on!
Suzy
August 13th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
thanks for the link. you’re an inspiration!
August 13th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Hey Nina and Windowbox:
I appreciate all the kind words and support. Seems to me we all inspire each other — just depends on where we are in our lives at the time. I’m not trying to be an inspiration, I’m just trying to give back to the community that has given me a lot of support.
I’ll keep you all posted!
Suzy