SAN FRANCISCO/LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2022—AIDS/LifeCycle concludes today in West Hollywood, as more than 2,400 cyclists cross the finish line at Fairfax High School after riding 545 miles from San Francisco over the course of seven days. The event raised a record-breaking $17.8 million–surpassing the previous record of $16.7 million set in 2019–to support San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV-related services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. 

“Year-after-year, AIDS/LifeCycle continues to be a critical way that we raise support for HIV services, increase awareness about the impact of HIV, and come together in solidarity as a community,” said Tyler TerMeer, PhD, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation and 12-time AIDS/LifeCycle participant. “We are able to provide lifesaving services in our community that contribute to our goal of ending the HIV epidemic, thanks to the enduring commitment of AIDS/LifeCycle participants.”

“After more than 40 years, the fight to end this epidemic continues,” said Joe Hollendoner, incoming CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “The contributions of thousands of people who are part of the AIDS/LifeCycle community—riders, roadies, staff and donors—provide the resources necessary to continue this fight. The donations, through hard work and determination, support medical care and social services to those living with HIV and make it possible to offer prevention tools, such as PrEP, to people most at risk of becoming infected. I am so proud to be a part of this community that continues to fight every day to bring an end to this epidemic.”

AIDS/LifeCycle is the world’s largest single event fundraiser for HIV and AIDS, and has been on hiatus for the previous two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is a fully supported bike ride that raises important awareness about the ongoing HIV epidemic, in addition to funding services such as HIV testing and screenings for other sexually transmitted infections, HIV medical care, prevention services including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), harm reduction services, and more.

The Ride debuted in 1994 as the California AIDS Ride before it was reconfigured in 2002 to what is known today as AIDS/LifeCycle. Prior to this year’s total, participants raised more than $286 million and completed more than 63,000 journeys from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Despite remarkable progress that has been made since the disease was first discovered in 1981, the HIV epidemic is far from over. In the seven days it takes the riders to reach Los Angeles, more than 650 people in the United States contract HIV. Currently there are 1.2 million people living with HIV in the country, and one in seven people living with HIV nationwide is not aware of their status.

AIDS/LifeCycle’s sponsors are Gilead, Amazon, United Airlines, PricewaterhouseCoopers, FedEx, Toyota, and Keck Medicine of USC.

See stories, and videos from the ride at aidslifecycle.org and @aidslifecycle on social media. See photos from AIDS/LifeCycle 2022 here.

ABOUT AIDS/LIFECYCLE

AIDS/LifeCycle is a fully-supported, seven-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It’s a life-changing ride— not a race—through some of California’s most beautiful countryside. AIDS/LifeCycle is co-produced by the Los Angeles LGBT Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation and is designed to advance their shared interest to reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV.

ABOUT LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org 

ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION

San Francisco AIDS Foundation promotes health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV, through sexual health and substance use services, advocacy, and community partnerships. Ultimately, we strive for a day when: race is not a barrier to health and wellness; substance use is not stigmatized; HIV status does not determine quality of life; and HIV transmission is eliminated. In 2022, SFAF commemorates 40 years of service to the community. Learn more at sfaf.org.