About a month before the 2010 Ride For AIDS, Antonio Torres hit a huge roadblock: he lost his job in management at a local hotel.
"I was depressed and didn't want to do anything, including the Ride," said Torres, who had already run 10 marathons over the past five years and was about to embark on his first two-day, 200-mile bicycle ride.
Officials from the Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) , which produces the annual Ride, encouraged Torres to continue his training. They repeatedly told him that the Ride would change his life.
Torres did ultimately complete the 2010 Ride and now admits it, "definitely changed my life." He got more self-confidence through the Ride, and met people last year who are now among his closest friends. He also learned first-hand about TPAN and its services.
Three days after finishing the 2010 Ride, a TPAN representative called Torres and told him that, the next day, on that Thursday, he had a meeting with a therapist.
TPAN was there to help Torres who, at the time, had no job, no insurance and worried he'd be forced to stop taking his HIV medicine.
"TPAN … saved my life," Torres said slowly, emotionally. "I was depressed, ready to stop taking my medicine. They helped me realize that, yes, I have potential."
Torres, 38, has been living in Chicago for 16 years. He has been HIV-positive since 1995 and taking HIV medicine since 2001. He has run 10 marathons, most recently the 2010 Chicago Marathon last October.
He ventured into bicycle riding as a different form of cross-training for his running.
"I didn't know anything about TPAN when I registered," for the 2010 Ride, Torres said. "I just wanted to do it last year for the challenge, to see if I could complete the 200-mile ride."
TPAN has since led Torres to individual and group therapy, given him Jewel gift cards for food when needed, and more.
" [ Last ] November, my situation was really bad, especially financially," Torres said. "TPAN was there for me."
Torres landed another hotel job this past February and, "everything has gotten better," he said.
Torres was back on his bicycle in July and again completed the 200-mile Ride for AIDS, including the $1,000 fundraising minimum for TPAN. He also was the event's Training Coordinator.
"I don't know if many [ riders ] truly know how much impact the money that they're raising really helps, including for people like me," Torres said. "I told people on the Ride this year about my story, about how much TPAN did for me, and they are always surprised.
"The riders truly are saving lives with their fundraising."
Torres said he personally knows at least 20 people who were aided by TPAN and the money raised by riders.
"Many people probably don't realize the impact they have on others' lives through their fundraising," Torres said. "Sure, they know it's for a good cause, but they don't usually see first-hand where or who the money goes to. I am that person, first-hand.
To see their faces when I tell them that yes, the fundraising has helped me personally … it's emotionalfor them and for me."
With about 300 riders, the 2011 Ride generated more than $500,000 for TPAN, a more than $200,000 increase over the 2010 Ride.
"What's great about Tony is that with him, the circle completes itself," said TPAN Project Manager Richard Cordova. "He's in need of services that TPAN can provide, the Ride for AIDS Chicago helps fund those services, and Tony participates and fundraises for the Ride. He helps support the very services he utilizes to stay well. Perfect circle."
Hundreds of local runners, meanwhile, are now training for the Chicago Marathon in October and the Honolulu Marathon in December through the Team To End AIDS ( T2 ) , the endurance-training program for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
The runners will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, tooto benefit people just like Torres.
Torres, meanwhile, is mentoring local high school students to run a half marathon and others to run a full marathon.
"Health-wise, I'm good now. I think being active helps me to fight HIV," he said. "I'm so grateful for TPAN and for all those who fund-raise for the Ride, and for other events, such as the marathon [ through T2 ] … because I know first-hand where the money goes."