Pride Community Center is honored to have Joe Ede on our panel for World AIDS Day Discussion: “Impact of Being HIV+, Related Stigma, and Discrimination”
Watch Dec 1, 2020 at 7pm on Facebook Live on Pride Community Center FB Page or via You Tube at https://youtu.be/05n95aEGhFE
I was born and raised in Waterloo Iowa moving to Minneapolis, MN in 1992. In July of 1997 I participated in my first AIDS related charity cycling event riding my bicycle 500 from the Twin Cities to Chicago. Since that time, I have participated in 49 of these AIDS charity bike rides across the United States as well in Canada and Europe. I have personally raised over 12,000.00 to help AIDS Service Organizations in the United States.
Three months after my first Ride, in October 1997, I was diagnosed with HIV. I called my best friend in Iowa who in turn, told me he was diagnosed earlier that same year in January.
Sadly, my best friend lost his battle with AIDS and passed away in August of 1998. I then vowed to ride my bicycle in his honor and to raise continued awareness that HIV/AIDS is not over.
Since that time I have participated in 49 of these AIDS charity cycling events around the United States, including Canada and Europe. I have personally raised over $12,000.00 to help AIDS Service Organizations. In 2019 I was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, I immediately began chemo treatments and now am about 90% cancer free.
As for my HIV, I take HIV medication every day, something I have done since my diagnosis 23 years ago. I am undetectable and average 700 blood cells.
I have taught indoor cycling at the YWCA Minneapolis for 15 years and love doing it. I have trained hundreds of people preparing for endurance type events.
I have a full-time job at an engineering company in downtown Minneapolis, however with COVID, my projects were first regulated to working at home, then most of our projects were cancelled or postponed. I have lived in South Minneapolis for over 25 years and enjoy the neighborhood and the cities. My hope is there a cure for HIV in my lifetime.