Cyclists to raise funds for UCLA Blood and Platelet Center; young patient kicks off race

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 Health 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 donatio...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news