Dearest Friends and Family,
Some of you know me directly and have been my steadfast supporters in everyday life, and some of you I have met through work, parties, the Internet, Morocco, music, or simply by living and trying to survive and make a difference in New York City.
What most of you do not know is that for the last three months my mother and I have been training for a 5 day, 500 mile bike ride in Alaska this August 17th. That's 100 miles a day, through mountains and (possibly) very in climate weather, from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Then, at night, we will be sleeping in tents under the stars about 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle! I was born in Kodiak, Alaska, and this is the first time I have returned. I cannot even tell you how excited I am at the prospect of combining a trip to my birthplace with this noble cause!
Since I managed to hold your attention thus far, I figure I will put the gist of this message plain and simply right here: I need YOU to help me fight HIV and AIDS! I have until July 26th to raise at least $3,400. If you are overtaken by a fit of generosity and need immediate instructions on how to pledge, they are at the bottom of this letter, but please read on to hear my story and why I am doing this massive undertaking.
AIDS is one of the most deadly diseases on the planet: so far well over 34 million people are infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS, and 18 million people worldwide have already died of AIDS.
Including my father.
He was infected when I was a young boy, and died when I was 13. AIDS transformed my strong, intelligent, caring father into a weak husk of a man and then ended his life: all in the span of less than three years.
No one should have to suffer and die of this disease, and no one should have to watch a loved one disintegrate before his or her very eyes. All of you, I am sure, agree on this. Many people, however, disagree on the best way to combat this horrible and terrifying disease. Most have a laissez-faire attitude towards it: they will let trained medical workers assist and care for the unfortunates with AIDS, and allow trained and skilled researchers to research and test new strategies for combating the disease. The reason I am doing this ride to shout "THAT IS NOT ENOUGH" from hillside to hillside, so all can hear. We all must do more - educate our friends, our family, and ourselves. We all must give of ourselves: our time and our energy by volunteering, helping, caring. And, of course, sharing our prosperity and good fortune with those stricken with the disease.
You may have blinked earlier on when you saw the phrase "my mother and I," but you did read correctly: my mom is also going to do this 500 mile ride through the mountains of Alaska with me. Together we are Team Craig - the survivors.
This letter is a humble request for you to donate any amount of money to this worthy cause - I am not willing to stand idly by and hope others will cure this disease, and my great hope is that you feel the same. I need to raise $3,400 in pledges and donations in order to attend this ride. Let me explain how this will all shake out: I am paying - out of my pocket - all expenses for this trip. I am paying for the plane fare, the transportation costs, the costs of accommodations in Alaska before and after the ride, all myself. Any and all money you pledge will go directly to assist various AIDS research projects across the United States. None of the money will go into my pocket or even come anywhere near me. All contributions are completely tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. If I do not raise $3,400 by Thursday, July 26, from contributions from you wonderful people, then I will donate whatever amount remains - no matter how much, up to the entire $3,400 - from my own pocket to make up the difference.
PLEASE - look deep in your heart and give generously. Every bit helps: $20, $50, $100, even $1,000 - and goes directly towards helping the entire human race. Will your grandchildren live in a world without AIDS? Or will they, too, perish - victim of a deadly plague that we did not do enough to stop?
ALSO - please forward this letter to all your friends and family. The more people who see this letter, the more people who will donate, volunteer, and give to the cause.
If you would like more information about the ride, please go to the website at:
With all love, respect, and determination,
Steven Craig - rider number 20505
FOR PROGRESS UPDATES:
Please go to my website: http://slack.net/~ego/
TO SPEAK WITH ME DIRECTLY: CELL(24hrs by 7days ) - 646 - 242 - 7378
TO DONATE:
Remember - I have until July 26th to raise this money. If you can donate, PLEASE do it now and send me a note letting me know so that I may thank you in person and make sure you see and share all my pictures, videos, and memories of this incredible undertaking.
If you have Internet access, please go to this website and TYPE IN MY RIDER NUMBER, 20505
https://www.ecenroll.com/ECPTW2/SilverStream/Pages/pgVaccineRidesDonateOnline.html
If you do NOT have Internet access:
Please call me at home 718 - 832 - 7120 or on my cell 646 - 242 - 7378 anytime and leave me your name and phone number and I will get you a donation form immediately.