Press room ... 2000 archive

Sixth Annual Ron Wilmot Bike Ride for Project Inform

April 10, 2000

San Francisco, CA—On Saturday, May 13, bicyclists from around the Bay Area will assemble in Golden Gate Park for the 6 Ron Wilmot Bike Ride for Project Inform. This fun-filled seven-mile ride supports Project Inform, the nation's leading resource for HIV/ AIDS treatment information.

More than 100 Riders are expected to take part in this fun community event, which has experienced steady growth since its inception in 1995. As an incentive for Riders, Project Inform will be offering an opportunity to win terrific prizes, including a fabulous vacation package to LONDON, which includes round-trip airfare for two people and three nights at the posh Savoy Hotel, courtesy of Academy of Friends.

All qualified Riders who raise $100. or more, or anyone who donates $100 or more will be entered into a raffle drawing for the LONDON prize.

This year, Project Inform commemorates its 15th year of serving individuals with HIV. Our commitment to ensure individuals' access to treatment information remains at the heart of Project Inform's activities as we begin this landmark year.

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. Since then, 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.

We have ambitious plans for this year's Bike Ride and hope to top last year's success by recruiting at least 100 riders and raising $100,000. You can make a real difference as we enter this landmark year. Register as a rider, and encourage others to do the same.

Check-in for the Ride begins at 9am in Peacock Meadow, just past McLaren Lodge on JFK Boulevard, in Golden Gate Park. Registration for the ride is still available by calling Project Inform at 415-558-8669 x223 or through their website.

Seven leisurely miles through Golden Gate Park. As bike rides go, the Ron Wilmot Bike Ride for Project Inform may not be a demanding athletic event—but it is a very special one. Ron Wilmot was an extraordinary individual.

In starting the Ride six years ago, Ron Wilmot wanted to create a way for people who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS to become involved with Project Inform and learn how they can improve their health—or the health of someone they care about—by educating themselves about the disease. The Ron Wilmot Bike Ride embodies Project Inform's and Ron's message of actively participating in one's health and ensuring that others receive vitally important HIV/AIDS treatment information.

Although Ron died of AIDS in 1997, the fundraising he pioneered goes on. What began as a visionary idea has now become one of Project Inform's important annual fundraisers. The Ride has since raised more than $300,000 for Project Inform's programs—last year riders raised a record-breaking $78,000. And 95% of the money raised went directly to support Project Inform's treatment education programs.

Special incentive prizes are also awarded to Riders who raise funds at the $500, $1,000 and $2,000 levels, including weekend getaways in Palm Springs, San Francisco, and a complete bike clothing package courtesy of VooDoo Cycles, and much more. All winners will be selected by raffle drawing immediately after the Ride on May 13, and Riders must be present to win.

In addition to American Airlines, BTG Pharmaceuticals and Zephyr Real Estate, sponsors of this year's ride also include the Castro Lions Club, the GAP, and Positive Pedalers bike club.

For more information about registering for the Ron Wilmot Bike Ride contact Julie Doherty, 415-558-8669 x223