June 5, 2006 On 25th anniversary of AIDS, cyclists pedaling for a cure BY JULIE JAG SENTINEL STAFF WRITER SANTA CRUZ — The first cases of AIDS were reported 25 years ago today. Twenty-five years ago, Santa Cruz native Kai Brothers contracted the virus. Since then, the quest for a cure has come a long way. Yet it still has a long way to go. After arriving at Harvey West Park on Sunday evening, having completed the first leg of the seven-day, 585-mile Ride to End AIDS, Brothers feels the same way. "I've been in the depths of the worst side of AIDS. My friends getting sick and dying before there were AIDS cocktails. Some of them just missed it," said Brothers, who moved to San Francisco in 1981. "I thought, how can I give back? One way was in doing this ride." Brothers has given back in numerous ways since 1989, when he learned he had contracted AIDS. The virus had already claimed several of his friends by then. Brothers, however, has survived with few setbacks thanks to a rare type of immune system that has fended off the virus. Because he knows he's lucky, Brothers has lent his body to science on many occasions with the hope he might help scientists find a cure. For four years he has also joined in the ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which AIDS/Lifecycle has been running as a cure fundraiser for five years. "I do it because I can do it," he said. "I'm here. I've survived. It's been an empowering thing to do, an emotional thing." This year, the ride attracted 1,818 people, about 200 more than last year. Each of those riders reserved their spot by contributed a minimum of $2,500 to AIDS research. The 400 volunteers also contribute $75 apiece. In all, the group raised $7.1 million toward the cause. While the AIDS anniversary may have contributed to the boost, organizers said they attribute it more to the growing popularity of the ride. "This event has great word of mouth," said Redge Norton, an AIDS/Lifecycle spokesman. "People tell their friends." Paul Fortino didn't need to hear it from his friends. As the Harvey West Park manager, he watched the ride roll through his park for six years — dating back to when it was the California AIDS Ride. After taking a job at UC Santa Cruz last fall that gives him summers off, he wasted no time signing up for the ride. He also wasted no time getting in the spirit. He chugged into the park on a recumbent tricycle decorated with bright flags and flowers and with a UCSC Banana Slug at the helm. Fortino, one of 42 riders from Santa Cruz County, said he has been impressed by the camaraderie of the large group. "Everyone is here for the same reasons," he said. "They love to cycle and, obviously, HIV and AIDS has touched their lives in some way." Volunteers turned Harvey West Park into a miniature city to accommodate the onslaught of riders. Tents were pitched on the softball fields, and there were showers, chef-prepared meals, massages, chiropractors and Internet access available. Riders took the pampering while they could. Today's 105-mile leg to King City would be hot and windy. But for most of the them, there is plenty of reason to keep pedaling. "When I'm going up the hills, I look at who's on my list," said Fortino, pointing to two flags adorned with the names of people who have contracted or died from HIV. "Then I'm like, let's keep pumping." Contact Julie Jag at jjag@santacruzsentinel.com.