Chris Salgardo & Kiehl’s Kick Off amfAR Life Ride

Photo by Travis Shinn

Actors, musicians, models, and athletes gathered this week at the Kiehl’s Flagship store in New York. Hosted by Kiehl’s CEO and President Chris Salgardo, they kicked off the seventh annual Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR. The 11-day motorcycle ride through the Northeast raises money and awareness for the organization’s fight against AIDS.

Mini-facials and hand massages were offered as well as tattoos by Luke Wessman to celebrate the biker theme. An arrangement of refreshments in the form of protein bars and juices were on hand as the LifeRide team geared up for their journey. Free HIV testing was also provided at the event by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

We caught up with Salgardo who explained his dedication to amfAR:

For me personally, amfAR is the most important partner I’ve ever worked with. I had a very good friend who died of AIDS in 1995, and it was devastating. It was one but one too many… With six people every hour in the United States becoming HIV-infected, we still have a problem. And it’s an organization like amfAR who will provide the funding that will give to the cure and a vaccine for AIDS and HIV, and we need them both. So I’ll keep riding until we do it.

Kiehl's CEO & President Chris Salgardo speaks at the kick-off event for the 7th annual amfAR LifeRide. (Photo: Getty courtesy of Kiehl's)

With a set by DJ, the Misshapes, the celebration was graced with appearances by Ben Cohen, Alex Newell, Christian Siriano, Jackie Cruz, and Mario Cantone, among others. Salgardo was on hand to present a check of $150,000 from Kiehl’s to amfAR CEO, Kevin Robert Frost.

Kiehl’s will donate all net profits from their Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, up to $25,000, to amfAR. Support the cause online and follow the Kiehl’s team on the road with the hashtag, #LifeRide7.