THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 10, 1994 TAG: 9409100223
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NAGS HEAD LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Jon Rossi isn't exactly sure why he decided to try bicycling across North Carolina and back to help in the battle against AIDS.
``It may be that old reason men climb mountains - because it's there. I've never done anything like this. It may be `pre-middle-age crazy.' But I wanted to get out and do something.''
Rossi will embark Thursday on a 1,400-mile round-trip trek from Nags Head to Murphy, located in the western tip of the state, to raise money for the Dare County HIV Task Force, a local group dedicated to increasing AIDS education and awareness.
``I don't want to get on my soapbox,'' Rossi said. ``But this is something that needs to be addressed. A disease like AIDS could shoot through a small county like a plague. I was surprised when they told me that the HIV task force just started in July. They don't have a lot of money. The money I'm going to be raising is to increase education and to make more money available for medication.''
A 1993 study by state health officials showed a marked increase in the number of AIDS cases in eastern North Carolina. On a per capita basis, the spread of the disease in rural areas of eastern North Carolina has mirrored the growth of AIDS cases in the state's urban areas.
There currently are 12 confirmed AIDS cases in Dare County, according to health department statistics. Seven people in the county have died from the disease.
Rossi, 37, is a native of Rhode Island and came to North Carolina four years ago. He works as a waiter on the Outer Banks, and lives in Jarvisburg in nearby Currituck County.
He said AIDS has not affected his family or friends.
``I would like to do something before that happens,'' Rossi said.
``I don't want to be awakened by a phone call telling me that a friend or family member has the virus.
``My wife thinks I'm crazy, but she supports this,'' he said. ``Whenever I talk about it, she just smiles. But she's OK with it.''
Rossi, who by his own admission wasn't involved in athletics until he began running in 1985, competed in his first triathlon three years ago. On his bicycle trip across North Carolina, he will carry almost 100 pounds of food (mostly dried fruits and canned goods) and camping equipment.
``I'm going to supplement it by stopping at restaurants and food stores and places like that. But the food is going to be difficult because I'm not going to be able to carry a lot with me.''
While his major focus is fund raising, Rossi hopes to also bring AIDS to the forefront of public consciousness.
``When I tell people what I'm doing, the reaction here in this area has been very positive,'' Rossi said. ``Initially, people are not even aware that it has to do with HIV. Unlike cancer, muscular dystrophy or some of the other diseases, people are not as aware of AIDS. It's a disease that you sometimes have to get in people's face because it's not something they're aware of.''
Rossi acknowledges that he approaches the trip with some apprehension. Unlike many benefit runs, walks, rides and swims that are joined by an entourage of supporters and media, Rossi will ride alone on the three-week trip.
``I'm kind of worried,'' he said. ``When you get into unfamiliar areas, you're not always sure how people will react when they know I'm riding to raise money to fight HIV. This is a disease people are not always up with.''
Rossi, who will keep a journal of his ride, said he is uncertain what he will learn about himself on his sojourn.
``If I go out there with an empty head and an open mind, I'll be ready for anything. What I want to do more than anything is bring this disease out, so that the public will be more aware before it's too late. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DREW C. WILSON, Staff
Jon Rossi, 37, is preparing for an 1,400 mile round trip bicycle
ride that will take him from Nags Head to Murphy, located in the
western tip of the state. Rossi, a Rhode Island native, hopes to
increase AIDS awareness across North Carolina.
by CNB