Top Non-Proft for Cancer Research Donations

OUR MISSION:

OUR MISSION is to provide funding for the finest collaborative research teams at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. It is our goal that research funded by Padres Pedal the Cause will lead to increased survivorship and ultimately, cures for cancer.

In the past five years, Padres Pedal the Cause has donated more than $7.1 million to fund 42 local cancer research projects in San Diego. We provide funding for all types of cancer research, with grants awarded fund to explorative discovery research for lung, pancreatic, breast, colorectal, pediatric, ovarian, melanoma, gastrointestinal, alongside universal studies that will benefit multiple kinds of cancer.

Thanks to the dedication and generosity of our sponsors, 100% of all operational and event costs are underwritten, allowing every dollar raised to fund life-saving cancer research.

THE CAUSE:

Cancer is the #1 cause of death in San Diego and #2 cause of death in the United States. 1-in-2 men and 1-in-3 women will be diagnosed with cancer. In some way, this cause will touch all of our lives: every person, every family, every community.

In the past twenty years, with cancer diagnoses more prevalent than ever, the need for private funding is critical. We are at an inflection point in cancer research; the next ten years will be critical to the development of sophisticated, individualized cancer treatment. It will be the largest opportunity ever seen to advance the way we treat, and ultimately cure cancer.

COLLABORATION:

San Diego is home to three nationally-recognized NIH cancer institutions, an excellent pediatric oncology program, and one of the largest clusters of biotech and life science organizations in the country. The city is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of bringing genomic medicine, immunotherapy, new technologies and clinical trials to the market and becoming the nation’s hub for collaborative cancer research.

Padres Pedal the Cause donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar to support the collaborative research efforts between Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Find out more about our beneficiaries below:

HISTORY:

Founded by two-time cancer survivor Bill Koman, Pedal the Cause is a multi-city cycling challenge that began in St. Louis in 2009 and opened in San Diego in 2013. Together, the events have raised over $20 million for cancer research in both cities.

In 2016, the San Diego organization established a permanent partnership with the San Diego Padres and moved the event downtown to its current home at Petco Park. The Padres Pedal experience is an event weekend of cycling, activities, entertainment and volunteerism that celebrates survivorship and raises critically needed funds for cancer research.

Padres Pedal the Cause is powered by a strong community of cancer fighters; a team of passionate cancer advocates made up of survivors, families, doctors, children, volunteers, scientists, parents, neighbors and friends. We are committed to winning the fight against cancer and finding a cure.

BENEFICIARIES:

100% of the proceeds raised by Padres Pedal the Cause stay in San Diego to fund collaborative research projects conducted by our four beneficiaries: Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. From pediatric cancer and breast cancer to pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, the research we fund at each of these medical institutions helps to study the diseases themselves and ultimately works to find ways to both prevent and treat each type of cancer.

Each of our beneficiaries relies on donations from nonprofits in San Diego to help them continue the essential work they do as organizations leading the way in innovative cancer research. With the funds our participants help us raise, we are able to fund projects led by doctors and scientists working hard to end cancer. Find out more about the incredible work done at each of our beneficiaries by clicking the images below.

Funded Projects

How We Began

Bill Koman,
Founder

Pedal the Cause was founded in St. Louis in 2009 by Bill Koman, a two-time lymphoma survivor. After beating cancer for the second time, Koman wanted to give back to the Siteman Cancer Center where he was treated. He hoped to ensure that others would meet the same outcome. He founded Pedal the Cause St. Louis with the goal that 100% of proceeds benefit Siteman Cancer Center. Pedal the Cause St. Louis has become the most successful cancer fundraiser in St. Louis.

Bill Koman has now brought his cancer advocacy and philanthropy with him to San Diego. He became a board member of the Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. He formed Pedal the Cause San Diego to provide funding for the best cancer research ideas at all three of San Diego's NCI-designated Cancer Centers: Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Rady Children's Hospital has also been added as a beneficiary. 100% of the proceeds stay in San Diego to fund local cancer research.

The mission focuses on the collaborative research synergies that exist between NCI-designated Cancer Centers on the Mesa. San Diego is the only city in the country that has one NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (UC San Diego Moores) that excels at both clinical care and research and two NCI-designated basic science cancer centers that focus solely on research and clinical applications (Sanford Burnham Prebys and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies). This combination of complementary centers creates a greater opportunity for collective fast-track research from the lab to the bedside. For patients that can't wait, this means faster access to life saving treatment and cures. It is our hope that research funded by Pedal the Cause will ultimately help lead to a cure for cancer, and solidify San Diego at the forefront of cancer research and care.