Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald, - Wednesday, August 23, 1989
Ozzie Osborne, Herald Writer
Instead, the Miami man is leaving this week on his bicycle from the southernmost point of the U.S. mainland for San Francisco. He hopes to arrive there by mid-1990 for an international conference on acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Sutton wants to let others, particularly those who have the AIDS virus -- he calls them the "worried well" -- know they still can still lead fulfilling lives.
"I'd like to ease their fears," he says. "I want to say, 'Look, I'm not only healthy, I can do this.' "
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. Sutton was diagnosed as having HIV in 1984 and a full-blown case of AIDS in mid-1987.
The trip will be a fund-raiser for AIDS education, Sutton says. He hopes to attract sponsors along the way who will contribute for each mile he pedals, and he also will have events, such as the one at the 801 Club in Key West Monday night. There, he gave out such things as mugs and pens in return for donations.
Sutton also wants to generate publicity for the AIDS cause. His picture and a short article about his trip were carried in USA Today last weekend.
"I have no idea what I'll raise," he says. "This trip to Key West (from Miami) is sort of a shakedown cruise." On his visit to the Keys, a support car followed him, as it will all the way to San Francisco.
At 40, Sutton says he feels quite healthy and eats well to maintain a weight of 140. But he is having an eye problem; a virus inthe retina of his left eye caused a 70 percent loss of sight.
Sutton has never stopped working and ran his carpet and furniture business in Miami before starting out on his long bike ride. His brother is running the business while he's away.
Even though he knows AIDS is a relentless killer, Sutton does not dwell on death.
"That's something everybody has to deal with," he says. "I'm in no different position from anyone else. Anyone's life can end right now. I just confront things as they come."
Sutton said the goal of biking to San Francisco will prolong his life "because I'll have a purpose."
"Of course, I'll still have AIDS when I get there. Riding my bike to San Francisco won't cure that."
CAPTION: PHOTO HARRY SUTTON
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