“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it.”–Princess Diana

First a story: It started with a group of HIV positive men riding in Race Across America (RAAM). They came upon a real small, old, mid-western town in a desolate part of the country. For some of the team this is the hardest part of the whole ride. A ride with a race route over 3000 miles, touching 14 states and climbing over 140,000 feet, RAAM is considered one of the toughest endurance races in the world. It’s not the blistering cold, the never-ending roads, pounding rain, or the gusting winds that deters these riders. It’s the looks & snarls from people in these places who- just don’t understand. This time was different.


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Very nice interview done last week. The whole interview goes for 16:48 min but every second is worth listening...

Don Smith, one of the four original racers of Team 4HIVHope, answered this question last year at the end of the race. His post below said it all...
July 6, 2011

There are many amazing and memorable moments that occur during an event like Race Across America. Some of those moments are very public, like posing for photos at the finish line or the cheering of spectators along the way. Other moments are very personal and far from the glare of spotlight; it is these moments that are most meaningful to myself when I reflect on my week with my team at RAAM. In particular, there was one very special chance meeting with a man that happened to me in middle America.

I rode into a timing station located somewhere in small-town Missouri. I was surprised to see spectators there since it was such a warm day. One of our crew brought over a spectator and told me that this man had been waiting hours for our team to arrive and that he wanted to give us some gels that he purchased for us. I did not want what he offered me but I took them anyway and thanked him for his generosity. The crew member left us alone and I was getting ready to dismount my bike and walk away when the man pulled me closer. I don't remember everything that he said but the key point to his story was about the many challenges he faced as an HIV+ man in living in small-town America. How he had to keep his health status a secret and therefore felt quite isolated and alone within his community. In fact, all of his medical treatment was conducted clandestinely in the closest urban center. He then told me that our team's participation in RAAM had inspired him and given him hope. I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. He gave me a big hug and then slipped off into the milling crowd at the timing station.

To me this was the true purpose for doing RAAM. To be able to touch one person's life in a way that inspired them or at least gave them some hope. Everything else (and there is a lot) is just a whole lot of icing on a very large cake.

Good work was done by the Team4HIVHope and I am honoured to have been a part of it. 

Don Smith

Team 4HIVHope welcomes its newest racer: Glen Druery. Glen, from Australia, was on the winning 4-person team in 2009, and this will be his 4th RAAM. He replaces Matt Roy, who withdrew from the team. We are excited to have his experience and enthusiasm. Welcome Glen!

New website means a new start, with the big race coming up, in only 119 days!!!
But let's not forget how it all started...