LOS ANGELES, CA (BRAIN)—Brian Hodes of VeloImages, a pro cycling photographer and longtime AIDS awareness advocate, has kicked off "Project RideRED," a national campaign to raise awareness of and funds for a cure to AIDS/HIV.
Timed to coincide with World AIDS Day, the launch of the year-long Project RideRED campaign commemorates the 30th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis and is a call to action for members of the cycling community to proactively make a difference in this cause, according to a press release.
"More than a million people in the United States currently live with HIV, with more than 50,000 new infections occurring each year," said Hodes. "The last 30 years of AIDS has brought heartache and suffering to too many families—now is the time for us to stand together. I invite members of the cycling community everywhere to throw on a red jersey or red product and RideRED."
The campaign begins with a series of organized and individual tribute rides on November 28, 2010. People from all over the world have committed to RideRED, meaning they will ride 30 miles (one mile for each year of known AIDS infection) while wearing red. These rides aim to increase awareness of AIDS and memorialize persons who died from AIDS/HIV.
Following World AIDS Day rides, cyclists can RideRED all year long by sporting red clothing, accessories, components and/or bikes when they ride. To support these efforts, several manufacturers are stepping up to provide special Project RideRED products that will be available through www.projectridered.org (click on link). Here, cyclists can purchase limited edition items from Primal Wear, HUDZ, Rolf Prima, FLUID, Earth, Wind and Rider, SIDI America and Walz Caps, to name a few. All proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit Until There's a Cure.
Over the coming year, Project RideRED will also be collecting and posting video pledges to its Facebook fan page and website. Individuals are encouraged to make a simple video clip by wearing red, and stating their name, occupation and the commitment, "I'll RideRED Until There's a Cure." Instructions and examples are available online at the links above. Interested participants can send their video clips to Brian Hodes at info@projectridered.org or upload directly to Facebook.
Additional initiatives and opportunities to support Project RideRED will be unveiled on its Facebook fan page and Web site during 2011.
Manufactures interested in supplying Project RideRED with red or cause-themed fundraising items should contact Brain Hodes at brian@veloimages.com.
