THUNDER BAY – Most university students spend their summers relaxing or working to make money to pay their tuition.
But a group of four are cycling across the country while raising money and awareness to combat HIV.
The idea for the ride came to 20-year-old Chris Davidge, who had volunteered in Africa working with children stricken with the disease, and upon returning home where he was shocked to learn HIV and AIDS remain a significant problem in Canada.
Davidge was told by the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research that as many as 71,000 Canadians live with disease, with as much as 25 per cent of those people even unaware they have it.
That compelled him to do something to raise awareness as well as funds for research.
“It’s not so much the number but the amount of people who don’t know they have it because it’s so easy to get tested and so treatable now,” he said on Saturday during a stop in Thunder Bay.
“With HIV you can live a long, healthy lifestyle now.”
Joining him along on the ride are university friends Yanir Levy and Tommy Spriet as well as childhood friend Neil Schmitke.
The four began their 56-day odyssey on May 9 as they set out from Vancouver.
They are doing the ride unsupported, without anybody accompanying them in a vehicle driving them ahead, and often camp for the night along the side of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Despite that, there was no hesitation in joining their friend.
“Initially I was in 100 per cent as soon as I heard about it. It started off just as a way to see Canada but once we talked to CANFAR and realized we could do it for a good cause added to the adventure,” Schmitke said.
Even though they are only halfway to their geographic goal, the ride has already surpassed their financial target.
They originally had a goal of raising $10,000 for CANFAR, but that has already been broken with the target being increased to $15,000. If they can reach $25,000 a research grant will be created.
“When we were at $500 we were wondering how we were going to get to $10,000,” Levy said. “Being at that right now is just amazing. I’m impressed with how far we’ve come with that.”
Along the way they have learned a lot about the disease and the advancements that have been made in treating HIV and preventing transmission.
That’s why it’s important to raise awareness in hopes of slowing the spread.
“Going to school you learn about safe sex and not sharing needles so having that problem in communities across Canada was really surprising that it’s not truly under control,” Levy said.
“If you can contain it why not raise awareness and take the stigma off.”
After a night in Thunder Bay, the riders resume their trek on Sunday where they will continue east along the north shore of Lake Superior.
A website has been set up to track their ride and collect donations.
