Hello, denizens of iBrattleboro!

My name is Andrew Semegram, and I’ve been a resident of Brattleboro for about 2 years now.

I’m writing today to ask for your money! But not to go into my pockets. This May, I’ll be riding my bicycle approx. 545 miles, from San Fran to LA, as part of the 2009 AIDS Lifecycle charity ride. When the weather gets warm, you’ll certainly see me riding the hills of Southern Vermont, prepping for this ride. Please visit my donation page here: www.tofighthiv.org/goto/andrew.semegram

I wish that I could divert the funds that I raise to the Southern Vermont AIDS Project, but regardless, rest assured that all money raised will go toward helping those living with HIV/AIDS. Here are some US and international statistics,* to inspire and/or startle you into donating:

In the United States...

• An estimated 53,000 Americans will become infected with HIV this year.
• Approximately 550,000 have died of AIDS since the epidemic's beginning. 1.2 million currently live with HIV, including 10,000 children. 25% are unaware of their status.
• Half of all new STD infections (which include HIV) occur in individuals 25 years old or younger.
• African Americans, although comprising only 12% of the population, account for 50% of new infections. Latinos, comprising only 15% of the population, account for 19% of new infections.
• In general, racial and ethnic minorities account for 64% of those living with HIV, and 72% of AIDS deaths.

In the World...
• An estimated 2.5 million people will become infected with HIV this year.
• More than 20 million have died from AIDS since the epidemic's beginning. 33 million currently live with HIV, including 2.5 million children.
• 95% of those living with HIV reside in developing nations, predominately Africa.
• 50% of those living with HIV are women, 80% of whom are married or with one partner.
• For every person starting antiretrovirals, 3 go without, and 3 more become infected.

I must raise at least $3000 to participate in this ride, which means that I’ll be relying on you, strangers, to support my efforts. Times are tough, financially, but even $25 will get me that much closer to my goal. Better yet, consider giving a recurring donation of $25 per month, for at least 4 months. I personally love automatically recurring charitable donations… you can give more than you’d be inclined in a lump sum, and you don’t have to think about it. You can reap the good karma without any extra effort!

So, again, please visit my donation page and consider giving as much as your circumstances allow. This is by far the hardest physical challenge I have ever undertaken, and I hope that you’re inspired by that, if not by the urgent need for funds, to donate!

Many thanks, fellow Brattleboroians!
Andrew


*Data Sources:
Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), California Department of Public Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, Los Angeles Department of Public Health, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.