Designer Beach Towel Raises Funds for amfAR

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, announced the release of a limited edition beach towel designed by British-born, New York-based visual artist Shantell Martin to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Launching exclusively at Scoop NYC stores for a limited time, the towel features Martin's trademark black-and-white illustrations, and includes an inscription that reads, "Be Epic, Cure AIDS," a nod to amfAR's "Countdown to Cure AIDS" initiative, which aims to build the scientific basis of a cure for AIDS by 2020.

"We are excited to collaborate with Scoop NYC and Shantell Martin for this creative and unique way of raising AIDS awareness," said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. "Through Martin's engaging visual narrative, we hope this fashionable item becomes a conversation piece this summer about the importance of supporting research to find a cure for HIV."

Martin, 34, is celebrated for creating bold and intricate line illustrations on various surfaces including large-scale installations, digital and multi-media performances and academic residencies with institutions like Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and New York University.

The limited edition towel is the first incarnation of an ongoing partnership between Martin and amfAR. The artist will 'draw for the cause' at the organization's Inspiration Gala New York on June 16 and generationCURE Solstice event on June 23 in New York City.

"It's an honor to work with amfAR. People will love our summer beach towel as we work towards raising funds to support the fight to find a cure for HIV," says Martin. "I'm super looking forward to seaing [sic] our message on beaches everywhere, encouraging everyone to 'Be Epic and Cure AIDS."

Starting June 8, the towel will be available at Scoop NYC stores across the United States for $40, with 100 percent of the purchase price going to amfAR's life-saving research programs. It will also be available from amfAR at its online shop.

To purchase the towel, visit http://shop.amfar.org.