Members of the UCSF community reached the finish line in the fourth annual
AIDS/LifeCycle, a 585-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
More than 2,000 participants made the weeklong journey that raised a record $6.8 million to help continue to provide the critical services and education to meet the growing needs of those living with HIV/AIDS and to raise public awareness that the pandemic remains a problem.
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| The team from the operating room at UCSF Medical Center poses for a picture soon after riding in to Los Angeles. |
Among AIDS LifeCycle riders were two teams from UCSF Medical Center, which contributed matching funds and jerseys.
The team from the intensive care unit on the ninth floor included Nicole Carlson, Jessica Ehrenreich and Diane Gralewski. "I've never been involved in anything like this, and it is so inspiring to see so many people and organizations get behind this event," said Ehrenreich.
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| The medical center team from 9ICU take a break at the AIDS/LifeCycle. |
The team from the operating room included Charlene Bennett, who, as team captain, knows all about grueling physical challenges. This was Bennett's second AIDS ride. She also is a six-time marathoner and Gay Games bodybuilding competitor, and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in November 2004.
Joining Bennett was Bea Arbaiza, a two-time triathlete and Gay Games competitor; Kathlene Hill, a nursing student who is a yellow belt in capoeira and a former professional dancer and personal trainer; and Erika Grace, a three-time marathoner and Gay Games competitor in 10K and marathon. Grace also summited Kilimanjaro in November 2004.
Source: Lisa Cisneros
Editor's note:
Due to popular demand, the UCSF Medical Center bike jerseys (designed by Ellen Knight of the Medical Center) will be available for purchase in the UCSF bookstore.
Related Links
AIDS/LifeCycle 4 press release
