Published Thursday, February 17, 2005
 

Son, 13, Rides For Mom's Causes

He's planning to ride his bike 500 miles, from Tallahassee to Naples.

By Rebecca Mahoney
The Ledger
 

MICHAEL WILSON/THE LEDGER Garrett Robinson, left, plans to ride his bike 500 miles next month to raise money for Friends Together. His mother, Cathy Robinson Pickett, right, is president of the organization she founded as an advocacy group for HIV patients.

Cathy Robinson Pickett has never given up on anything.

The 39-year-old Lakeland woman became infected with HIV when she was 18 after being sexually assaulted. But instead of giving in to the disease, she turned it into a platform and began speaking to groups around the country to raise awareness about the disease.

She also founded an advocacy organization called Friends Together, and every year manages five retreats for HIV patients and their families at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park.

The camps are her special passion.

"They hold a very important place in my heart," she says.

Today, Pickett is as motivated as ever. But a string of bad luck -- including last year's hurricanes and a series of illnesses -- has forced the formidable Pickett to cancel the upcoming March retreat. May's scheduled retreat is also in jeopardy.

"It's a struggle," Pickett said. "It's been a rough year."

Fortunately, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Pickett's son, 13-year-old Garrett Robinson, is stepping in to help his mother and Friends Together. He's planning to ride his bike 500 miles, from Tallahassee to Naples, over five days next month to raise money for Friends Together. He hopes to raise $5,000.

The camps cost between $10,000 and $12,000 each to put on.

"We had to cancel camp, and we want it to go on," said Garrett, who is HIV negative. "Camp is where people can go and be themselves. It's a good place. They need it."

The bike ride is an annual Friends Together fund-raiser that brings in the bulk of the organization's annual budget. The rest is supplemented by other donations and money Pickett raises from speaking engagements, which she hasn't been able to make because of illnesses this year. The hurricanes also affected the organization, as fewer donations were given during those months, Pickett said.

Doctors are still trying to determine Pickett's ailments, but she said she has suffered anemia, dizziness and endometriosis in the past few months. She has also undergone several exploratory surgeries. The health problems, which are unrelated to her HIV infection, have left her too sick to do much work.

Garrett said he felt like he owed it to his mother to do what he could to help.

"It feels good. It feels right," he said. "People need to know the facts of the disease."

Garrett has ridden in the AIDS trek before, once going as many as 125 miles. This year, he's determined to do it all.

"To show my appreciation and to help make it possible to have camps for orphans and sick kids, I promised my mom that I'd do the whole bike ride," he wrote in a letter to The Ledger. "With your help we hope to still be able to help sick families and be able to afford camps and not have to cancel any more."

The camp is the cornerstone of Friends Together. The retreats offer solidarity and support to those living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Participants attend classes and discussions, take part in games and sports, and get to know one another -- not only as HIV patients, but as people.

More than 100 people typically attend. Many come from Polk County, but others come from as far away as Naples to Jacksonville.

Garrett is seeking pledges for his ride, which will take place from March 21 to March 25. So far, he has raised about $175.

"I am just so proud," said Pickett.

Anybody is welcome to ride, but each person must raise at least $1,000 in pledges and be responsible for all their own expenses.

Rebecca Mahoney can be reached at 863-802-7548 or rebecca.mahoney@theledger.com.