Gefen Sponsors Fireflies West Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Benefit Leukemia Research

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles-based manufacturer Gefen today announced its sponsorship of the charity Fireflies West bike ride taking place from September 14 through September 19, 2012.  Riders will complete the final leg of the bike ride when they arrive in Santa Monica. A total of 550 miles will be travelled by bike, with all proceeds benefiting the City of Hope.

Fireflies West is the US-based counterpart of the original Fireflies ride, which began in Europe in 2001. Fireflies was comprised of local advertising professionals who rode from Geneva to Cannes, with all proceeds benefiting the Leuka Charity for Hammersmith Hospital based in London, England.

Beginning in 2008, Fireflies West emerged as the west coast sister event to the original Fireflies, biking along the stunning California coast. During the six-day event, riders will travel just under 100 miles per day from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Morro Bay, Solvang, Ventura and finally, Santa Monica.

Gefen employees are collectively donating $1,000 to the City of Hope in support of this important event. The 2012 donation goal for Fireflies West is $140,000. The final leg of the ride will end with a celebratory party at The Mill in Culver City, where Gefen employees and friends will be on-hand to congratulate the riders, including Gefen's own photographer, Chris Hatounian.

"Leukemia has touched all of our lives in intimate ways and we couldn't think of a better way to show our support than through this event," said Hagai Gefen, president and CEO, Gefen. "City of Hope's cancer research center has a stellar reputation for compassionate care and technological innovations and we want to do everything in our power to empower them on their quest for a cure."

Gefen employees are raising money through private donations and executive contributions. Gefen employee, Jerry Digby, will be filming a documentary on the entire 550-mile ride to be donated to the cause.

About Gefen:

Gefen supplies a wide selection of signal switchers, splitters, extenders, scalers, converters, KVM, digital signage and home theater accessories that enable audio/video and computer systems to be easily integrated, extended, distributed and optimized to maximize performance. Detailed product information is available at www.gefen.com.

SOURCE Gefen