Press room ... 1999 archive

Fifth Annual Ron Wilmot Bike Ride
for Project Inform a Huge Success

May 17, 1999

San Francisco, CA—More than $69,000 was raised in support of Project Inform’s HIV/AIDS treatment information and education programs through the Ron Wilmot Bike Ride for Project Inform, Executive Director Avi Rose reported today.

“An important facet of the success of this grassroots Bike Ride fundraiser is that total costs for the event were held to less than 5%—approximately $3,300”—he added.

San Francisco Supervisors Gavin Newsom and Mark Leno enthusiastically launched the riders on the seven-mile fun ride through Golden Gate Park by noting, “Just like Ron Wilmot, each and every one of you is making a difference today by helping Project Inform to provide critical treatment information to all of those who need it. Your efforts raising money for Project Inform are not only a great contribution to the fight against AIDS but a real tribute to the memory of Ron Wilmot—a community leader and a committed fundraiser.”

Ron Wilmot, an HIV/AIDS activist, avid cyclist and long-time Project Inform supporter, started the Ride in 1995. Since then over $250,000 has been raised for the HIV/AIDS programs at Project Inform. This year alone riders raised $69,000. and donations are still being received in support of the Ride. Before losing his battle against AIDS, Ron challenged his family, friends and the community to continue this local ride. It was a special wish of Ron’s that people living with HIV/AIDS take part in the Ride. Ron hoped to ensure that life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment information continued to reach people throughout the Bay Area and around the country.

Ron’s sister Pam Perillo, along with her husband, children and other family members all came here from Chicago to participate in the seven-mile ride. Pam confirmed, “Everyone had a great time and left energized. The event has become a perfect reminder of Ron’s commitment to Project Inform and the difference one person can make in ensuring that accurate and up-to-date treatment information is readily available to all those who need it. Our family plans to participate in the ride next year and every year until there is a cure.”

This year’s outstanding success could not have happened without the support of sponsors such as American Airlines, the GAP, Total Communications, the Castro Lions Club, the Negril Tree House Resort, Positive Pedalers bike club, SF Frontiers News Magazine, VooDoo Cycles and Zephyr Real Estate.

Many riders went home with terrific raffle prizes including round trip airfare for two donated by American Airlines plus six nights at the Negril Tree House in Negril Jamaica donated by Gail Jackson; weekend getaways to La Posada de las Palmas Resort in Palm Springs, the four-star Serrano Hotel in San Francisco, the Highland Inn, Carmel and the Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa; dinner at local restaurants; and a HooDoo bike donated by VooDoo Cycles.

The circumstances of HIV/AIDS have shifted dramatically in the 1990s. For individuals seeking up-to-date and reliable HIV/AIDS treatment information, the overall picture has become one of rapidly increasing complexity.

For the past fourteen years, Project Inform has been at the forefront of providing the most complete and up-to-date treatment information to people living with HIV/AIDS as well as those who are affected by the disease—family members, care givers and health care providers. Concerned by the absence of a centralized and unbiased resource for up-to-date and reliable HIV/AIDS treatment information, nationally renowned speaker and founding director Martin Delaney and a group of citizens established Project Inform in 1985.