March 16, 2011 – The Race Across America (RAAM), a bicycle race that some have called even tougher than the Tour de France happens every June. This year, its 30th anniversary is also the 30th anniversary of the AIDS pandemic, and four men have formed a RAAM team-Team4HIV Hope, to show that with the right treatment, people living with HIV can do anything, including competing in RAAM.

Three of the four members of Team4HIV Hope are living with HIV, and the fourth is committed to see this disease eradicated in his lifetime.

“The decision to enter this race was not taken lightly by its members,” said Steven Berveling, 52, of Sydney, Australia, who had the original idea to field a RAAM team with HIV positive racers. “We have consulted with our physicians and are rigorously training with their blessings. We are taking this race very seriously, because we will be representing the hopes, and fears, of the millions of people around the world living with HIV.”

Berveling has wanted to race in RAAM for some time, and with the relaxation of visa entry into the USA, racing RAAM has become possible. “I am determined to complete it,” he says. “I ride because it confirms that I am alive, and to show that HIV need not be an impediment against participating in major sports. I’m determined to live life to the fullest, even with HIV.”

“Although HIV is part of my life, I am not defined by and refuse to be limited by those three letters – I am much more than that,” says Jim Williams, a New York City attorney. ” By competing in RAAM, I hope to show others living with HIV that it is not a barrier to sports such as cycling, and in fact, cycling is a great way to get and stay healthy.”

Don Smith, 52, of Vancouver BC, was diagnosed with HIV in 1986, and his doctor told him to put his affairs in order as he’d likely be dead within two years. Rather than give in, he became very proactive about health and nutrition and added keeping fit to his regimen. He became involved in triathlon in 2002 and progressed to longer races in 2004.

While Smith has several heroes among athletes, “my personal heroes are all of the other persons living with HIV,” he says. “They are my brothers and sisters who bravely live their lives in spite of the stigma that living with HIV can bring. This race is really for all of them.”

Francisco Liuzzi, 34, is the one racer in TEAM4HIVHope who is not HIV positive, but he acknowledges that “whilst not infected, we are all affected by HIV and AIDS.” He trains with Williams in New York, and they will work as partners on RAAM.

Team4HIVHope is part of UTACVelo, the cycling team of the organization, Until There’s A Cure,® a national organization dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and funds to combat this pandemic.

For more information on the team see: www.team4hivhope.com