Shannon Cunningham: Ride for AIDS Chicago Story
I never started out thinking I would make a difference. When I joined the Ride for AIDS Chicago January 2011, I thought I was signing up for a personal challenge to ride 200 miles on a bicycle. It was a bucket list item, like a running a marathon. One and done I thought. Isn’t that what happens? You start doing something that is for you, about you, and it turns into something greater than you?
Before I headed out for my first training I posted on LinkedIn that I signed up for the Ride for AIDS Chicago. Before I finished that first training event I had a donation: $25 from someone on my work team. Someone I never thought I would ask for a donation and here it was on my page. I started thinking, what if? That first year pretty cool. I chalked it up as luck and passion and together I ended up raising over $4,000 for Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN). One donation and one donor continue to stay with me. My donor is Amy and she was a neighbor of mine. What I didn’t know about Amy is that her dear friend of many years died of AIDS. His name is Michael McCord. Remember that name.
A few days before the first Ride for AIDS Amy stopped by to wish me luck and she gave me an orange scarf that belonged to Michael McCord along with it was his story. Michael was in theatre and an AIDS activist. This scarf has been part of various AIDS rides since his passing in 1998. I later learned he died on my birthday. I tied the scarf to my handlebars. What I didn’t know about the Ride for AIDS Chicago is that much of it occurs in Wisconsin covering miles of farmland, hills and quiet. I spent a lot time on that Ride either with a handful of other people and in some stretches, I rode solo. I would never say alone because as the miles climbed, the temperature rose, and my faith in my ability to finish started to wane, I looked down at Michael’s scarf. “We can do this.” I felt I had a responsibility greater than me to complete every mile. So that’s what I did, with Michael McCord by my side. A lot happens when you ride. Stuff comes up and tears stream down and healing happens. That experience changed me. And every few miles a crew car came by cheering and playing music. Suddenly you feel like you are on top of the world, whizzing down hills at 35mph. What a rush!
This year celebrates my 6th Ride for AIDS Chicago. Over the years I’ve personally raised nearly $25,000. I’ve been the event Fundraising Chair and participated on the Board putting on Fundraising Workshops for fellow Ride participants. I love seeing people blossom into amazing fundraisers when they were certain they would not be able to raise the minimum. This includes my wife, an Ironman, who said she would rather ride another 100 miles than ask for a donation. She’s been a top fundraiser for the past 5 years!
Why do I still Ride? HIV/AIDS used to a death sentence. While there are great treatments, the social stigma of the disease can be fatal. When I walk into TPAN, I see an organization that offers support and treatment greater than any pill. The men and women who walk through these doors are Heroes. It’s our job to make sure TPAN’s doors remain open. Whether you Ride, Crew, Volunteer or Donate, your support is vital. I hope you choose to sign up today.
You never know how one seemingly small action can change the world.
