Funds Raised During Ninth Annual Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR Accelerate Research Efforts Toward HIV Cure

NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of the ninth annual Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR, Kiehl's Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care products, and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research have announced that the $150,000 raised at this year's LifeRide is helping fund the research of Gabriel Ozorowski, Ph.D., a staff scientist at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA. 

The five-day charity motorcycle ride began in Los Angeles, CA, on August 6 and culminated in San Diego on August 10, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and a total of $150,000 for research at multiple high-profile events at Kiehl's stores along the way.

Dr. Ozorowski is a 2017 recipient of amfAR's Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Basic Biomedical Research, an annual research initiative that supports bright young scientists seeking innovative solutions to HIV/AIDS. For his project, Dr. Ozorowski is applying an innovative technique called cryo-EM in the search for new antiretroviral drugs in a class called fusion inhibitors. Only one fusion inhibitor – initially characterized by amfAR-funded researcher Dr. Carl Wild – has ever been approved for use. 

"I'm grateful to amfAR and Kiehl's for being chosen as this year's LifeRide grant recipient," said Dr. Ozorowski, who attended the Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR finale event in San Diego. "Meeting the riders and learning about their commitment to the cause was truly inspirational, and I'm glad I was a part of this important event that continues to raise HIV/AIDS awareness every year."  

"We are thankful for Kiehl's longstanding support of our goal to find a cure for HIV," said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. "The only way out of this epidemic is through research, and it is vital that we continue to support the work of young scientists such as Dr. Ozorowski who are dedicating their careers to improving the lives of millions of people living with HIV."

Since 2010, Kiehl's has generously raised more than $1.9 million for amfAR, funding ten cure-related research projects, and since 2001, the company has raised a total of approximately $4,000,000 for HIV/AIDS organizations including amfAR. 

"As a New York-based company that began in the East Village, Kiehl's found itself in the middle of the AIDS crisis since its emergence, and since then, we've been a strong supporter of HIV/AIDS organizations, and a long-time partner of amfAR," said Kiehl's President Megan Grant. "It is our honor to continue to support amfAR, and scientists like Dr. Ozorowski, who are leading us all to a world without HIV."

About amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research:

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $517 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide. For additional information, visit www.amfar.org. 

CONTACT: Joana Casas
T: 1.212.806.1602
E: [email protected]

SOURCE Kiehl's Since 1851