An actor from “Sex and the City” among other notables will zoom into Philadelphia Aug. 12, concluding a motorcycle ride to benefit AIDS research that covered 1,200 miles and six states.
Philadelphians are invited to a meet-and-greet with the celebrity riders at 2 p.m. at Kiehl’s Since 1851, a skin-care store inside the Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St. Attendees can buy a special hand cream, the proceeds of which will also go toward AIDS research.
Gilles Marini, known for playing Samantha’s steamy neighbor in the “Sex and the City” movie will be in attendance, along with Grant Reynolds, host of a show on the Science Channel; and Ben Cohen, an activist and former professional rugby player.
The seventh-annual LifeRide also made stops in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont. Through a partnership with Kiehl’s, it has raised $1.6 million for AIDS research since 2010, funding eight cure-related projects.
This year, Kiehl’s donated $150,000 to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Another $25,000 is expected to come to the organization through sales of the hand cream, said Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of amfAR.
Kiehl’s will also present a $5,000 check to Jane Shull, executive director of Philadelphia FIGHT.
“Kiehl’s has stores all across the country,” Frost said. “They literally turn over their stores to amfAR. It gives amfAR an opportunity to reach a demographic we don’t always have the opportunity to see. It’s a real boon for us.”
Customers will see promotional materials about the work of amfAR and hear a brief description of the state of AIDS research today.
“What is new is a lot of the scientific progress being made in the fight against AIDS,” Frost said. “We’re able to take that story on the road with us.”
Money raised through the annual LifeRide has gone toward projects that focus on gene therapy and antibody therapy to combat HIV.
“amfAR’s portfolio is very diverse,” Frost said. “We see that as a strength.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated because Scott Patterson, an actor known for “Gilmore Girls,” could not attend the Philadelphia stop of LifeRide. It was previously reported he would be there.