ONCE BITTEN

Regarding “Pyramid Plunder” in the March 16 Phoenix: great article, I hope a lot of people read it. We need to be in touch with what these things really are, SCAMS. Bruce’s piece was informative, well researched, and kind to those of us who fell for the garbage.

I’ll probably never see any of the money I put in, but I sure did learn a lesson. I can’t help but think the only ones who are going to be punished are the poor police officers who fell for it, too.

Thanks for the interest, I’m putting the Phoenix on my fav list, so I hope to see more items by Noah Bruce. Also, I’m forwarding this one to my friends, (or maybe not, I don’t want to admit I was so DAAA). Keep up the good work.

Jean Sproul
Auburn

HORN TOOTING

In regards to Tony Giampetruzzi’s “No Easy Cure” article in The Portland Phoenix (February 22 - March 1), we would like to provide your readers with additional information about Pallotta TeamWorks impact on the worldwide AIDS crisis and the global need for an AIDS Vaccine.

Since Pallotta TeamWorks’ first event in 1994, we have generated an astonishing $153 million in net proceeds for AIDS and breast cancer charities. Also, Pallotta TeamWorks has netted more dollars for AIDS charities more quickly than any known private event enterprise in United States history.

Through 2000, Tanqueray’s AIDSRidesUSA has raised $83.8 million for AIDS services organizations to benefit those living with HIV and AIDS. Tanqueray’s AIDSRidesUSA, including the Northwest AIDSRide sited in the article, is one of two AIDS fundraisers produced and created by Pallotta TeamWorks. The other AIDS fundraiser is Pallotta TeamWorks’ AIDS Vaccine Rides.

Last August, the 1500 participants of the inaugural Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride raised $4.1 million in net proceeds for AIDS vaccine research. The money raised by the AIDS Vaccine Rides will benefit the work of three world-renowned AIDS research facilities — the UCLA AIDS Institute headed by Dr. Irvin Chen, the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center founded by Dr. David Ho, and the Emory Vaccine Center headed by Dr. Rafi Ahmed — as they work to eradicate AIDS through the development of a vaccine.

While the article focuses on how local AIDS service organizations will not benefit from this summer’s Pallotta TeamWorks’ Canada to US AIDS Vaccine Ride which finishes in Portland, ME, it is important to realize that an AIDS Vaccine will benefit millions of people not only locally but globally.

Currently, global estimates state that if a vaccine is not found, more than 75 million adults and children will die from AIDS in the next 20 years. It will be the worst human catastrophe in history. It is estimated that within the next 10 years some twenty million people will die, and in the absence of a vaccine, another 50 million will become infected.

The Canada to US event is one of three AIDS Vaccine Rides scheduled for this summer. In memory of the 19 million people lost to the AIDS virus and in honor of the 12 million children orphaned from this global disease, the 1500 riders of each AIDS Vaccine Ride will pedal, 80 miles a day on their bicycles together, over an average of five days, to raise money for AIDS vaccine research.

In addition to raising millions of dollars for AIDS services and AIDS vaccine research, Pallotta TeamWorks also produces life-changing experiences by enabling people to challenge themselves and inspire heroic dreams. Also, Pallotta TeamWorks’ events build awareness in the communities they touch during the event about the worldwide AIDS crisis.

We invite your readers to join us in making AIDS history. For more information about the AIDS Vaccine Rides, please visit www.vaccineride.org or call (888) 553-4567.

Daniel M. Pallotta
Chief Executive Officer

Dan Pallotta is CEO of Pallotta TeamWorks, creators and producers of revolutionary fundraising events such as the AIDS Rides USA and Breast Cancer 3-Days. He is the volunteer chair of the UCLA AIDS Institute’s AIDS Eradication Project and is the recipient of Liberty Hill Foundation’s “Creative Vision Award.” [And quite modest — ed.]

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