BY DEVIKA C.MEHTA
LOS ANGELES, CA - 2017 marks the fifteenth year for AIDS/LifeCycle and the twenty-third for the event overall when thousands of cyclists and volunteer roadies join the landmark 7-day ride, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, delivering a life-changing experience for thousands who are united by a common desire to do...
LOS ANGELES, CA - 2017 marks the fifteenth year for AIDS/LifeCycle and the twenty-third for the event overall when thousands of cyclists and volunteer roadies join the landmark 7-day ride, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, delivering a life-changing experience for thousands who are united by a common desire to do...
something heroic. This year, however, Californians will see several Indian-American faces happily cycling their way through the 545 mile journey. One such face is that of Keval Shah, an IT consultant, who started cycling with his Team PwC and over 3,000 other participants of AIDS/LifeCycle from June 4 until June 10, with the collective goal of making HIV/AIDS an issue of the past.
A graduate of the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Mathematics, Shah moved to Los Angeles to start his career in IT consulting. Outside of work, he is an avid runner, a world traveler, and a fan of meeting new folks. This is how he came in touch with the cause.
He says, “My friend Steve did the AIDS/LifeCycle ride last year. His passion, dedication, and amazing experiences inspired me to sign up for the 2017 ride. I signed up last July, and have been involved with AIDS/LifeCycle, the LA LGBT Center, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (the latter two of which benefit directly from AIDS/LifeCycle) since then.”
Talking about his daring ride and cause, Shah mentions, “HIV/AIDS is an unfortunate virus. Thankfully, there have been recent medical progressions in the field, enabling those inflicted with the virus to live long and healthy lives. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to these medical advancements, and those who have the virus are still marginalized and wrongfully stigmatized. Not only do I seek to raise funds for those who need access to medication, but I also intend to be the voice for the voiceless; for those who are afraid to or unable to seek medical help.”
Discussing the saddening reality of discrimination that still exists against people suffering from AIDS in the 21st century, he asks people to educate themselves.
Speaking the famous words of former First Lady Michelle Obama- “When they go low, we go high”, he adds, “Just like with the fight for racial equality and women’s rights, we have a social responsibility to stand up for those who are wrongfully discriminated against (in this context, those with HIV/AIDS). We have a human obligation to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. We have a moral duty, as members of a cohesive and progressive society, to educate those who never learned tolerance or respect towards those who need it the most; whether it be in the US, in India, or anywhere else in the world. Privilege comes in many forms, and I strongly believe that it is our human purpose to assist those who struggle to help themselves, when given the means and opportunity to do so.” He sees himself as an active and passionate contributor to the purpose, but calls it an imperative choice to first acknowledge the true pioneers, leaders, heroes, and reasons for the cause.
“There are leaders at the LA LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS foundation, who have paved the road for HIV/AIDS awareness; these people are the pioneers of the cause. There are medical doctors and scientists, who have dedicated their professional lives to curing those with the virus; these people are the heroes of the cause. There are folks afflicted with the virus, yet still, ride AIDS/LifeCycle on a yearly basis; these people are the leaders of the cause. There are individuals inflicted with the virus, who are unfortunately unable to speak up and obtain medication; these people are the reasons for the cause.”
Till June 1, his Team PwC had collectively raised $251,982 and he has been able to raise $3,745. Thanking his supporters, Shah happily expresses, “I am humbled; not necessarily due to a number of dollars that my friends and colleagues have donated, but primarily due to the sheer amount of emotional support and unwavering encouragement I have witnessed. From immediate family members to distant relatives, and from close friends to work acquaintances, every donation and phone call that I received has only encouraged me to strive towards my goal.”
Making a request for more help, Shah appeals: “I ask for you to support me on this incredible journey. From offering life-saving medication to those in need to removing the stigma that surrounds those currently battling the virus. Your support will change the lives of thousands of people. To the people who rely on these services to survive, every dollar counts! Thank you for making this event possible for me, and for being the support that I need to cross the finish line on June 10th!”
Quoting the famous words of American traveler Christopher McCandless - ‘Happiness is only real when shared’, Shah concludes, “I believe that life is a beautiful happenstance, and I intend to experience the joys of it with as many people as I can.”
To share his inspiring dream and support him visit: www.aidslifecycle.org
A graduate of the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Mathematics, Shah moved to Los Angeles to start his career in IT consulting. Outside of work, he is an avid runner, a world traveler, and a fan of meeting new folks. This is how he came in touch with the cause.
He says, “My friend Steve did the AIDS/LifeCycle ride last year. His passion, dedication, and amazing experiences inspired me to sign up for the 2017 ride. I signed up last July, and have been involved with AIDS/LifeCycle, the LA LGBT Center, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (the latter two of which benefit directly from AIDS/LifeCycle) since then.”
Talking about his daring ride and cause, Shah mentions, “HIV/AIDS is an unfortunate virus. Thankfully, there have been recent medical progressions in the field, enabling those inflicted with the virus to live long and healthy lives. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to these medical advancements, and those who have the virus are still marginalized and wrongfully stigmatized. Not only do I seek to raise funds for those who need access to medication, but I also intend to be the voice for the voiceless; for those who are afraid to or unable to seek medical help.”
Discussing the saddening reality of discrimination that still exists against people suffering from AIDS in the 21st century, he asks people to educate themselves.
Speaking the famous words of former First Lady Michelle Obama- “When they go low, we go high”, he adds, “Just like with the fight for racial equality and women’s rights, we have a social responsibility to stand up for those who are wrongfully discriminated against (in this context, those with HIV/AIDS). We have a human obligation to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. We have a moral duty, as members of a cohesive and progressive society, to educate those who never learned tolerance or respect towards those who need it the most; whether it be in the US, in India, or anywhere else in the world. Privilege comes in many forms, and I strongly believe that it is our human purpose to assist those who struggle to help themselves, when given the means and opportunity to do so.” He sees himself as an active and passionate contributor to the purpose, but calls it an imperative choice to first acknowledge the true pioneers, leaders, heroes, and reasons for the cause.
“There are leaders at the LA LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS foundation, who have paved the road for HIV/AIDS awareness; these people are the pioneers of the cause. There are medical doctors and scientists, who have dedicated their professional lives to curing those with the virus; these people are the heroes of the cause. There are folks afflicted with the virus, yet still, ride AIDS/LifeCycle on a yearly basis; these people are the leaders of the cause. There are individuals inflicted with the virus, who are unfortunately unable to speak up and obtain medication; these people are the reasons for the cause.”
Till June 1, his Team PwC had collectively raised $251,982 and he has been able to raise $3,745. Thanking his supporters, Shah happily expresses, “I am humbled; not necessarily due to a number of dollars that my friends and colleagues have donated, but primarily due to the sheer amount of emotional support and unwavering encouragement I have witnessed. From immediate family members to distant relatives, and from close friends to work acquaintances, every donation and phone call that I received has only encouraged me to strive towards my goal.”
Making a request for more help, Shah appeals: “I ask for you to support me on this incredible journey. From offering life-saving medication to those in need to removing the stigma that surrounds those currently battling the virus. Your support will change the lives of thousands of people. To the people who rely on these services to survive, every dollar counts! Thank you for making this event possible for me, and for being the support that I need to cross the finish line on June 10th!”
Quoting the famous words of American traveler Christopher McCandless - ‘Happiness is only real when shared’, Shah concludes, “I believe that life is a beautiful happenstance, and I intend to experience the joys of it with as many people as I can.”
To share his inspiring dream and support him visit: www.aidslifecycle.org
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