Kiehl's Since 1851 LifeRide For amfAR Raises Almost $275,000 - More Than Ever Before

Although the Motorcycles Have Stopped, the Fundraising Rolls On

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Aug 24, 2015, 01:04 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Maintaining its long-standing tradition of supporting HIV/AIDS charities, Kiehl's Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, is pleased to announce that through its continued partnership with amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, the sixth annual Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR is officially the most successful fundraising ride yet.

For the first time ever, Kiehl's and amfAR partnered with CrowdRise to allow riders to engage in social fundraising – and some healthy competition. This allowed even those not along the LifeRide route to join the ride by visiting CrowdRise.com/LifeRide2015 and donating to the celebrity rider of their choice.

To make this first even bigger, amfAR donors agreed to match these CrowdRise gifts dollar for dollar, meaning that the $47,724 the riders raised during LifeRide was doubled to an impressive $95,448. This donation is in addition to the $150,000 Kiehl's already pledged to raise for amfAR throughout the ride. The ride's top fundraisers included their thoughts on this momentous year below:

"Each year that we embark on LifeRide, we aim to raise more noise, awareness and funds for amfAR than the previous years. This year, through CrowdRise and matched donations, we were able to far exceed funds raised on any other ride," says Chris Salgardo, Kiehl's USA President. "I'm so proud of all the riders' efforts to raise more money than we ever have before to help make AIDS history."

"This year's LifeRide required an important personal commitment," says Timothy White, photographer and top CrowdRise fundraiser. "The ride needed a physical, emotional and psychological determination on my part to give the time, the energy and the commitment both to raising funds and all that it took to complete a 12-day motorcycle ride. My focus on the actual ride was matched only by my focus on raising awareness and bringing the people I knew into what I was trying to accomplish. I was blown away by how all my friends and business associates followed me throughout the process and donated to the cause. They actually showed they cared, and I can't thank them enough."

"Fundraising through LifeRide is an extreme sport, but in all seriousness, doing things for others and putting our effort toward a world without AIDS is to me something that I am proud and honored to be part of," says actor Gilles Marini

"Although each LifeRide is incredibly fun, being a direct part of raising money for the fight for a cure is so much more fulfilling," adds actor Tricia Helfer. "AIDS is a disease that doesn't make the news as much anymore but still inflicts a staggering number of people throughout the world. Riding and raising funds through CrowdRise to help Kiehl's and amfAR make HIV and AIDS a disease of the past was both a thrill and an honor."

"Participating in this year's Life Ride 6 was an incredibly uplifting experience. We rode some beautifully scenic roads in great weather, got a different perspective of equally scenic roads while riding through hours of torrential rains and spent time with leading researchers and scientists who spoke at length to us about the incredible new advances in the quest to find a vaccine and a cure for HIV/AIDS - all while raising impressive funds to help in the fight against this disease," says musician Chris Kael. "I will join this ride every year that it is needed. Through the efforts of an actively supportive scientific and charitable community, I hope that we soon ride not to raise funds; but, rather, to celebrate the finding of a cure."

"We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support we received from everyone involved in this year's LifeRide – the riders, those who donated on CrowdRise, the amfAR donors who agreed to match those gifts dollar for dollar, and all who attended the Kiehl's store events and purchased products to support our work," says Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR Chief Executive Officer. "There has never been a more optimistic time in AIDS research, and our continued progress is made possible by people who believe that we can, and will, find a cure for HIV."

Beyond CrowdRise, Kiehl's customers donated an impressive $7,000 in conjunction with purchases. Kiehl's retail partners Dillard's and Niemen Marcus also fundraised for amfAR on their own to present surprise checks of $10,000 and $1,500 respectively to Chris, Kevin and the riders upon their arrival at their store stops. This display of ambition and generosity brought the total raised on LifeRide 6 to more than $263,000!

THE CURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

Although the ride is complete, the fight against AIDS is not. Supporters can still donate through CrowdRise and have the donation matched. Additionally, Kiehl's customers can join the fight against HIV/AIDS by purchasing the below charitable products.

To celebrate and commemorate Kiehl's commitment to amfAR, this year's LifeRide coincides with the release of LIFERIDE: Riding for a Cure, a coffee-table photo book chronicling the first five years of LifeRide. Featuring photos by Grammy award-winning photographer Travis Shinn, the book will be available in all Kiehl's retail stores beginning August 1. Shinn has been a part of LifeRide for every mile journeyed to capture not only LifeRide's most significant achievements and but also candid moments on the road. The book retails for $60, with 100% of Kiehl's net profits, up to $10,000, benefiting amfAR.

Kiehl's customers nationwide can join the fight against HIV/AIDS through the purchase of Kiehl's Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, a jumbo-size of the brand's classic formula. 100% of net profits from the sale of this product, up to $25,000, will benefit amfAR. The Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is adorned with a red cap and will be available for $28.50 at all Kiehl's retail stores, Kiehls.com and specialty store partners nationwide.

Special thanks to the key partners for the ride, including Harley-Davidson®, global airline Delta and FIJI Water, the number-one premium bottled water in the United States. Additional support provided by Kenneth Cole, Psycho Bunny, Microsoft, and Tom Ford.

To find out more about LifeRide or get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, please visit www.kiehls.com/liferide

Kiehl's Commitment:
In 1996, Kiehl's made HIV/AIDS a key philanthropy pillar. Over the past two decades, the fervent support of HIV/AIDS organizations has been at the heart of Kiehl's efforts, leading to partnerships with organizations such as amfAR, The Magic Johnson Foundation for AIDS and Youth AIDS. Since 2001, Kiehl's has raised approximately $3,250,000 for HIV/AIDS organizations.

About Kiehl's:
Kiehl's was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village neighborhood. Its unique, extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal, and medicinal knowledge developed and advanced through the generations. In addition to Kiehl's freestanding stores nationwide, Kiehl's products are available at www.Kiehls.com, by mail order at 1-800-KIEHLS-2 as well as through select specialty retailers worldwide. For additional information on Kiehl's since 1851, visit kiehls.com.

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 $415 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide.

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Press Contact: Lauren Rodolitz
Phone: 917-606-2775
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Kiehl's Since 1851