Dear Friend.
If you know me at all you know I'm a crammer. I do my best work under pressure. So it should come as no surprise that I'm launching my latest effort to raise money for a worthy cause less than two weeks before the event. I hope that you will indulge me a few minutes of your time, and that you will consider parting with a few dollars from your wallet or pocketbook.
I've lived in Atlanta almost 10 years. My neighborhood (I move a lot) for most of that time has been right around the corner from Emory University and Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). I knew that they both were active in the fight against HIV and AIDS, but only last year at about this time did I become aware of how critical my little corner of the world is in this battle. It was last year about this time that my friend Steve Perry asked me to consider sponsoring him as a volunteer fundraiser for the AIDS Vaccine 200 benefiting the Emory Vaccine Center.
The Emory Vaccine Center – often in partnership with the CDC HQ here in Atlanta and the National Institutes of Health – is one of the leading vaccine research centers and incubators in the world … not only for HIV, but also Malaria, basic immunology & virology, and bio-defense pathogens. There’s no better proof of this than the very fact that over 80% of all HIV antivirals on the market today originated right here in Atlanta!
The AIDS Vaccine 200 is a two day, 200 mile bike ride to raise money for the Emory Vaccine Center. The ride takes place in May every year. This year the ride will be May 19th and 20th. This year is significant in that it is the TENTH anniversary of the Action Cycling AIDS Vaccine 200. I’m honored that this year my friend Steve has asked me to team up with him in an effort to reach our goal of raising $3,000 for this important cause. It’s worth mentioning that rider registration fees cover a large portion of the expenses required to produce this event. The event is being produced by volunteers and the organizing committee is dedicated to securing sponsors to underwrite as many of the event expenses as possible. This will allow us to give 100% of funds collected to the Emory Vaccine Center.
Many of you were amazingly generous in supporting me in 2009 when I walked in AIDS Walk Atlanta. I walked then in memory of Christopher Vicente, my nephew. I am friends with many of you because you were first friends with Christopher. As I was preparing this letter I was reminded that 15 years ago Chris rode, with his friends Kevin Chase and Jeff Nixon, in the 1997 Twin Cities - Chicago AIDS Ride. Their team picture always inspires me – I’m sharing it here. It was a much darker time back then for those living with HIV or battling AIDS. The idea of a vaccine was simply a dream. Today that dream is within reach.
Full disclosure – I’m not riding nor is Steve – we are simply volunteer fundraisers. For my part I’m raising money, and contributing myself, in memory of Christopher. Our goal is $3,000. Please help us blow through that number. It’s easy to contribute. Simply visit our team page at http://bit.ly/JcwTyK. If you’re more comfortable contributing by check simply e-mail me at jim@jimmundy.com to let me know how much you’ll be donating and share a check number. Also let me know if you’d like to be mentioned for your generosity on our team page or if you’d rather remain anonymous.
Thanks for taking the time to read this message. I hope you’ll consider making a donation of any amount. I wish you and yours all the very best.
I appreciate you!
Jim
TO DONATE VISIT: http://bit.ly/JcwTyK THANKS!
