Star Trek: Enterprise Pre-Production Coordinator Juan Carlos Fernandez will be one of thousands taking part in the 585-mile, week-long AIDS/Lifecycle charity event (June 5-11) in an effort to raise money to support the HIV/AIDS services of San Francisco and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. Services include providing medical and support services for victims of the disease as well as developing innovative HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Programs.

HIV/AIDS is still a problem all over the world, and in the United States some groups have seen new cases rise. After a steady decline in the number of new cases annually, the number increased in 2001 and has risen since. Half of the people now infected worldwide are women. Of the 40,000+ people who will test HIV positive in the United States this year, 50% will be under the age of 25. From 1999 to 2002, the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses for Hispanics increased 26%.

HIV/AIDS doesn't discriminate by race, gender, age, ethnicity, or even sexual preference. It is an equal-opportunity killer.

To prepare for the cycle ride, Juan has his work cut out for him. "I will spend three and a half months training for an intense seven-day, 585-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles in order to raise awareness that this disease has not gone away," he says. "The money goes to health education programs to communicate awareness and prevention. It will also help make a world of difference in the lives of people already living with HIV and AIDS."

Juan also notes on his Web site that participation in the AIDS/Lifecycle requires a minimum donation of $2,500 in order to ride, but he has set his personal goal at $3,000. You can help him make a difference by clicking the blue "Make a Donation" button to give what you can.

"We'll keep riding until AIDS and HIV are a thing of the past," says Fernandez.

UPDATE:
Juan has confirmed the bingo charity event at Hamburger Mary's on Santa Monica Boulevard on Wednesday, April 27. There will be a $20 suggested donation at the door, which will include 10 regular bingo games and one grand prize game. Each of the prize packages will include a Star Trek: Enterprise script signed by writing staff members. "My intent," says Juan, "is to include a cast-signed script as part of the grand prize package and another to be auctioned, with all the proceeds going towards AIDS/Lifecycle, of course."

As an added bonus, John Billingsley has volunteered to serve as a guest ball caller. The bingo portion will be run by Legendary Bingo, a company who has been working with various fundraisers since April 1998. Wednesday nights at Hamburger Mary's in West Hollywood is their current home, where they hold weekly charity bingo events to benefit local and national charities.

The particulars are as follows:

PLACE:
Hamburger Mary's West Hollywood
8288 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
(SE corner of Sweetzer & SMB)

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 27th, 8:00pm

PHONE:
(323) 654-3800

Please note: Hamburger Mary's is a bar, and patrons must be over 21 years of age.