Mercer Islander medical student to bicycle over 4,000 miles for HIV/AIDS research
Published 10:43 am Tuesday, April 24, 2012
On June 18, 2012, University of Washington School of Medicine student Alice Bremner will dip her tire in the Pacific Ocean at Half Moon Bay, Calif., and begin an epic journey across the country by bicycle. Bremner and 19 other students make up the 2012 Ride Against AIDS team that will cycle over 4,000 miles across America this summer.
Bremner, who plans to work in global health upon completion of medical school, became involved with the Ride Against AIDS because she believes in working together to fight health disparities.
“I believe that the personal connections [I will make during the ride] are essential to building the international solidarity necessary to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS,” Bremner said. “When the long days on my bike tire me, I’ll remind myself that I have the luxury of taking a break when I’m weary. AIDS patients can’t put their illness on pause, and we cannot rest while HIV/AIDS continues to devastate communities.”
Bremner grew up on Mercer Island and is eager to engage her hometown community in her efforts. This unique and powerful cross-country bike ride is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to fight HIV/AIDS. It is run by FACE AIDS, a youth-led nonprofit that works in the United States and Rwanda. The ride was started in 2007 by two Stanford students. This summer, the fifth annual Ride Against AIDS aims to raise over $100,000, as each rider pledges to raise at least $5,000.
Of this high goal, Bremner says, “The Ride Against AIDS is a small but significant way that you and I can contribute to the movement for global equality. I have been gratified to see how eager people are to support me when they learn about the ride.”
In addition to fundraising, riders will speak with and give presentations about the HIV/AIDS pandemic to community groups, summer camps, Rotary Clubs, schools, FACE AIDS chapters, and individuals across the country.
In 2011, the group biked almost 4,500 miles over 67 days and stopped in 54 cities. Throughout their journey, they directly reached over 1,000 individuals and indirectly through print and online media reached hundreds of thousands. The riders are more than fundraisers; they are educators and ambassadors for the cause, inspiring others and drawing them into the movement for global health equity.
Learn more
To learn more about Bremner’s trip and the Ride Against AIDS, visit www.faceaids.org/raa. To donate, please visit www.citizeneffect.org/users/1947/show_projects.
