amFAR LifeRide Cyclist with their panel for the AIDS Memorial Quilt

Brunch then the Nation Mall to view the AIDS Memorial Quilt. That was the plan but rainy weather shut it down. The nasty weather didn’t hamper the dedicated amFAR LifeRiders from traveling 1800 miles to gather on stage to read out the names of those lost over the last 30 years to  HIV/AIDS — and raising $115,000 to find a cure along the way.These weren’t just any cyclists, the LifeRiders included;

Khiel’s President Chris Salgardo; amFAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost; actors John Corbett, Tricia Helfer, Katee Sackhoff, Tyson Beckford, Teddy Sears, Christopher Redman, Marguerite Moreau and Grant Reynolds; photographer Timothy White; custom motorcycle builder Paul Cox; and artist Conrad Leach among others.

Actors Teddy Sears and Tyson Beckford on stage while Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of amfAR reads names of those lost to HIV/AIDS

I was pretty disappointed that I wasn’t able to see the Memorial Quilt (it should be out tomorrow if weather permits). Watching this group totally made up for missing it, the passion was visible in them all. While reading names of those lost Chris Salgardo chocked up and cried; Tyson Beckford comforted him, then took his turn and read. You couldn’t help but feel the emotion, these names were people who died from a disease I have. The people on stage want to make sure those like me and other HIV positive people don’t become another name to be read aloud on a rainy day on the Nation Mall.

Chris Salgardo, President of Khiel's emotional reading

“The support of HIV/AIDS organizations is one of Kiehl’s three charitable pillars. Since 2001, I am proud to say that we have raised more than $2 million to help find a cure for this epidemic,” said Chris Salgardo