TEMPE, Ariz. – If Morgan Sommer raises $18,412 within the next few weeks, he will surpass his six-year goal of donating $100,000 to AIDS/LifeCycle, a charitable long-distance bike ride that raises funds for the effort to reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Sommer, co-founder of Cybersocket, gives credit for a chunk of his successful fundraising to global payment services platform CCBill, which has supported his effort financially and ideologically since the beginning.
“For the past 6 years I have been a cyclist/fundraiser in AIDS LifeCycle, a 545 mile/seven-day bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles,” Sommer said. “Gratefully, CCBill has been an extremely generous donor for each of these years. Due to the generosity of so many friends and colleagues in our industry, I have been able to raise $81,588.10 for this organization over the past six years. This year I am hoping to raise another $18,412 before I leave in 25 days, to make it an even $100,000.
“As cyclists and fundraisers, we are entirely self-supporting,” he continued. “Your donations are used by the beneficiary organization for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and outreach programs for teens; grants to smaller, underfunded organizations all across North America and research that is pioneering HIV vaccines and, hopefully, a cure. I have been amazed and humbled by the generous people I work with and would appreciate your donation this year. No amount is too small.”
Now in its 15th year, AIDS/LifeCycle 2016 is the world’s largest annual HIV/AIDs fundraiser. Taking place June 5-11 this year, the event is co-produced by the Los Angeles LGBT Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
“We believe CCBill’s contribution to Morgan’s efforts is the least we can do to keep attention on the continued need for critical services for people impacted by HIV/AIDS,” said Gary Jackson, managing vice president of sales for CCBill. “AIDS is not over, and events like AIDS/Lifecycle — with Morgan’s amazing commitment year after year — helps to keep attention on this vital issue. and supports providing direct help for those who need it most.
“We look forward to the day when this ride is not necessary and the time when HIV/AIDS is history,” Jackson added. “But until then, we are grateful to Morgan for his efforts, and we encourage others to join in offering their support.”
For more information about how to get involved or make a donation, visit Sommer’s 2016 AIDS/LifeCycle participation page on the AIDS/LifeCycle website.
