| City of Angels check ceremony, 2012 From left: Dr. Linda Baum, UCLA chief of laboratory medicine; Dr. Scott Binder, UCLA senior vice chair of pathology and clinical director of laboratory medicine; Dr. Alyssa Ziman, UCLA medical director of transfusion medicine; Peter Heumann, City of Angels Fun Ride founder; Maria Marsh, owner of Pace Sportswear; Howie Neftin, owner of Neftin Volkswagen; and Pamela Bumerts, UCLA director of transfusion medicine, at the presentation of $73,500 in proceeds from the 2012 City of Angels Fun Ride |
WHAT:
Some 1,000 cyclists will raise funds for the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center while enjoying a fresh-air tour of more than 65 scenic, cultural and historic landmarks in Los Angeles during the 16th annual Volkswagen City of Angels Fun Ride. Riders, who can choose from a 51-mile advanced race or a 31-mile recreational route, will be escorted by Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officers, with rolling closures of city streets for traffic-free cycling.
Proceeds support UCLA's mobile blood-donation program, which collects 22,000 units of blood a year, supplying half the transfusions for patients at UCLA System hospitals. Last year's event raised $73,500 for the center.
A finish-line festival, featuring a free lunch catered by Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill and the raffle of a VW Beach Cruiser bicycle, a carbon-fiber Super Bike and many more prizes, will conclude the event, which is sponsored by Volkswagen, KHS Bicycles, Pace Sportswear and the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club.
WHO:
A young UCLA patient who benefited from blood donations will kick off the race by driving the pace car with her fiancé and parents:
Jennifer Golden
Golden, 21, of Las Vegas, is a college student with cystic fibrosis who underwent a rare double-organ transplant to replace her infected lungs and deteriorating liver at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in 2011. Her life was sustained during her 13-hour surgery by lifesaving donations of 12 units of blood, 11 units of plasma and one unit of platelets from 24 anonymous donors.
WHEN:
Sunday, April 14
6 a.m.: check-in
7:25 a.m.: Jennifer Golden introduced to crowd before revving up pace car
7:30 a.m.: advanced ride starts
7:50 a.m.: recreational ride starts
9:30 a.m.: UCLA blood drive*
11 a.m.: lunch and finish-line festival
* Those interested in donating blood at the blood drive should call 310-825-0888, Ext. 2, to reserve a slot.
WHERE:
The start/finish line is at the Los Angeles Police Academy, 1880 Academy Dr., Elysian Park 90012 (map)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Elaine Schmidt, UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations
[email protected] | 310-794-2272 or 310-597-5767 (Sunday only)
FUN RIDE CONTACT:
Peter Heumann, Heumann Powered Productions
[email protected] | 818-825-7383
