About Us | Padres Pedal

OUR MISSION:

OUR MISSION is to accelerate cures for cancer by funding collaborative research and clinical trials among San Diego’s top cancer research and treatment centers.

Since its inception, Padres Pedal the Cause has donated more than $10 million to fund 53 local cancer research projects in San Diego, including five clinical trials. We provide funding for all types of cancer research, with grants awarded to fund explorative discovery research that target specific cancer types and universal studies that benefit multiple kinds of cancer and tumors. It is our goal that research funded by Padres Pedal the Cause will lead to increased survivorship and ultimately, cures for cancer.

Thanks to the dedication and generosity of our sponsors, 100% of all operational and event costs are underwritten, allowing every dollar raised by participants to fund lifesaving 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-3 of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. In some way, this disease will touch all of our lives: every person, every family, every community.

With cancer diagnoses more prevalent than ever, the need for private funding is critical. We are at an inflection point in cancer research and now is the time to invest in the development of sophisticated, individualized cancer treatments. We can accelerate cures.

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. Each Padres Pedal Discovery Grant funds 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.

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.

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 and the leading pediatric cancer experts in San Diego. 100% of the proceeds stay in San Diego to fund local cancer research. 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 built for every member of the community to get involved. From cycling over the Coronado Bridge, spinning on the field at Petco Park, or running a 5K down the Embarcadero and spending the afternoon on the outfield, Padres Pedal is a celebration of survivorship and raises critically needed funds for cancer research.

Together, the events have raised over $30 million for cancer research in both cities. 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 accelerating cures.