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AIDS Vaccine 200 is a challenging, 200-mile, charity bike ride through the rolling hills of northeast Georgia. The ride raises vital funds for research at the Emory Vaccine Center, one of the world's leading vaccine research centers working to find an HIV vaccine.
The Ride
The ride takes place in May on the weekend before Memorial Day each year. Up to 100 cyclists and an army of volunteers complete the ride each year. The ride begins on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta and passes through several small, Georgia towns until cyclists arrive at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center located north of Eatonton, Georgia in the Oconee National Forrest. Cyclists and volunteers lodge Saturday night at cabins located next to Rock Eagle's 110 acre lake. Cyclists choose several different mileage options and can customize the length of the ride to their ability levels. The full ride entails back-to-back, century rides, 100 miles each day for a total of 200 miles. Cyclists may also choose a shorter 80-mile route for a total of 160 miles. Another option is for cyclists to form relay squads of up to 5 riders. The squad then divides the 100 mile distance each day into relay segments as long as each cyclist wishes to ride. The ride follows country roads across rural areas and rolling hills as riders pass through several small, Georgia towns including Stone Mountain, Walnut Grove, Social Circle, and Madison.
History
Action Cycling Atlanta was formed in 2002 by a group of cyclists who had participated in the 2001 European AIDS Vaccine Ride, one of the last AIDSRides produced by Pallotta Teamworks. This group of volunteers were dismayed at the cost overruns of the European ride. Also, the end of Pallotta Teamworks created a fundraising vacuum for the beneficiaries supported by the AIDSRides. Action Cycling Atlanta was incorporated as a 501c3 charitable organization and chose to continue fundraising for AIDS vaccine research at the Emory Vaccine Center. The ride existed as the Action Cycling 200 for its first 6 years and has donated over $400,000 for AIDS vaccine research at Emory Vaccine Center. Written into the bylaws of Action Cycling is its commitment to adhere to the standards set forth by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance and to minimizing event expenses returning as much of the funds raised directly to the charitable cause. To date, 100% of the money raised by ride participants has been donated to the beneficiary. Action Cycling is able to do this by underwriting the cost of the event through registration fees and generous event sponsors. The ride originally traveled from the Hope Clinic in Decatur, GA to Athens, GA. To accommodate more riders, in 2007, ride organizers changed the route to begin and end on the Emory University campus with a Saturday night stay at Rock Eagle near Eatonton, GA. In 2009, the name of the ride was changed to the AIDS Vaccine 200 to better communicate the purpose of the ride.
The Beneficiary
The Emory Vaccine Center works to improve human health by conducting fundamental and clinical research that leads to the development of effective vaccines against diseases of global importance. Developing a vaccine to halt the AIDS epidemic is a key part of the mission of the Emory Vaccine Center, and much of the research at the EVC relates to this effort. Scientists specializing in basic immunology strive to elucidate the fundamental workings of the immune system and how it responds to infection. Other investigators examine the interaction between HIV and the immune cells it attacks in order to identify ways to prevent or interrupt the process by which the virus destroys the immune system.
Researchers translate these findings into new AIDS vaccine strategies, which are tested rigorously in preclinical studies for safety and efficacy before being considered for human clinical trials. The Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, a freestanding clinic located in downtown Decatur, Georgia, conducts vaccine clinical trials and related research studies involving human volunteers. Thus, the EVC’s AIDS vaccine program spans the entire research process, from basic science to translational research to preclinical and clinical trials.
The EVC is the only university-based vaccine research center in the U.S. to have an AIDS vaccine candidate in clinical trials. Created and developed by EVC scientist Harriet Robinson, Ph.D., and her colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, this vaccine candidate began phase 2 human trials in February 2009. The trial, designated HVTN 205, is being conducted by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Dr. Robinson joined GeoVax, a company which she co-founded, to be able to steward her vaccine candidate through the phase 2 clinical trials now underway. "It's important for me to be at GeoVax full time to work with our excellent team in this important effort," said Dr. Robinson. "It is my conviction that our AIDS vaccine is a prime candidate to be safe and effective in preventing AIDS."
The Importance of Unrestricted Funds for AIDS Vaccine Research
Large donations in the form of government or foundation grants fail to cover many essential expenses. Emory Vaccine Center relies upon individual or unrestricted donations to fund the exploration of new ideas before larger grants become available. On average, each private funding dollar is leveraged into 17 additional research dollars in the form of prestigious federal grants. Emory Vaccine Center credits Action Cycling as one source of unrestricted funds used to begin initial research by Harriet Robinson. Data from those initial tests were used to qualify for large grants to continue funding the research that has resulted in an AIDS vaccine candidate moving into Phase II human trials.
References
- The big wheel / Critics don't faze Dan Pallotta, who has helped raise big bucks for AIDS research - and his company
- Pallotta announces end to AIDS Vaccine Rides: Even with production fee forfeited, beneficiaries to receive less than 10 percent
- Pallotta TeamWorks Record of Impact: Detailed Financial Disclosure
- GeoVax Starts Injections for Phase 2a Human HIV/AIDS Vaccine Trial in USA
- Dr. Harriet Robinson Joins GeoVax Team as V.P. of R & D to Accelerate AIDS Vaccine Trials Program
- Pedaling for a purpose. AIDS vaccine research gets boost from 200-mile bicycle ride
External links
- Action Cycling/AIDS Vaccine 200
- Emory Vaccine Center
- The Hope Clinic of Emory Vaccine Center
- Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation
- Positive Pedalers
- Charity Treks
- Minnesota AIDS Trek