July 23, 2005 — Across the city, a group of over 200 cyclists are pumping up tires and tuning their bikes as they gear up for the Friends For Life Bike Rally — a 600 km, 6 day journey, where the cyclists bike from Toronto to Montreal. The third largest AIDS fundraiser in Canada, this year’s Bike Rally will pay respect to those lost to AIDS by departing from the AIDS Memorial in Cawthra Park this Sunday.

“The Bike Rally is incredibly important to our agency as it helps support the vast array of programs which serve more than 3,500 people living with HIV/AIDS annually, right here in the city of Toronto” says Murray Jose, Executive Director of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation about its signature event.

Everyone is invited to come out to watch the Departure Day ceremonies at 8:00 am and cheer on the riders as they cycle out of the city at 9:00 am.

Each rider participating raises a minimum of $2,000. The money raised helps provide much needed programs and services to people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto.

“We would like to thank the community for their support in helping riders raise more than $2 million over the past six years” says Bruce Mayhew, Co-Chair of the Friends For Life Bike Rally. “Anything is possible in life if you put your mind to it,” says Lucinda Wallace, fellow Co-Chair, “for people living with HIV/AIDS, every day of their life can be a challenge. The Bike Rally supports them in meeting those challenges.”

The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation gratefully acknowledges the involvement of all of its riders and crew in making the Friends for Life Bike Rally such an incredible event. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada. We would also like to thank our Major Sponsor, Glaxo-Smith Kline in partnership with Shire BioChem, and our Supporting Sponsors: VIA Rail Canada, Rubbermaid, Pizza Pizza, Timothy’s World Coffee, Napoleon’s Fireplaces & Gas Grills, Steamwhistle, Fab, and Now Magazine.