A Batavia woman will be among seven people nationally will hit the open road next Monday in an effort to raise funds and awareness for AIDS prevention.

The seven - from Illinois, California and Wyoming - will travel the mapped 4,474 miles from Palo Alto, Calif., to Boston by bicycle, logging 60- to 85-mile segments per day, with one day of rest for every five days biking, as part of Ride Against AIDS, an event sponsored by FACE AIDS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mobilization of students to fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Kirsten Pufahl of Batavia, a recent graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, will be the sole Illinois representative making the journey. She said she became involved with race after hearing about it through her college's chapter.

"We have a small group that's pretty committed. There's a solid group of about 20 people and we have meetings every other week. We consistently received updates from the national chapter about the race, and after a while my interest in the trek grew, and I decided to go for it," she said. "Some of my friends and colleagues told me that they will join me through part of the Illinois route, so that will be nice."

The ride began in 2007, when two Stanford students wanted to bike across the country to raise $10,000 for AIDS treatment and comprehensive health care in Rwanda. Although lack of participation canceled the 2008 ride, two students from Stanford made the trek in 2009 and raised $22,000.

Pufahl said the group has no set goal for fundraising besides the $5,000 minimum for each rider, but she has pledged to raise $8,948, double the total number of miles.

"I am currently at $2,400, so I think I will be definitely reaching the $5,000, but I am still optimistic about the higher goal," she said. "Even if I fall short, I'm still going to raise more than the minimum, so I'm still happy."

The seven depart Palo Alto on June 14. Although a finalized arrival date is unknown due to exact treks made each day, organization officials have slated the absolute last day as Aug. 27.

In addition to the ride, the seven will reach out to local chapters, as well as Rotary Club meetings, school assemblies and town hall meetings for fundraising and general awareness.

Although she has not met her teammates face-to-face, Pufahl said she has been communicating with them via Facebook and e-mail, and feelings around the group are that of excitement.

"I'm excited to both meet new people who I know will be really awesome and to see my own country, since I've really only seen the Midwest and Florida," she said.

"I'm also just really excited to have this adventure, and it will be fun no matter what. Yes, there will be hard times, but it will be a triumph when we roll into Boston knowing we have spread the word to so many people," she said.

Those interested in making a donation can visit faceaids.org/raa. If you want to follow the riders' progress, visit their blog at rideagainstaids2010.blogspot.com.