Southern California Cycling Event to Support Local Cancer Research Kicks Off

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 26 and 27, thousands of cyclists, volunteers and supporters throughout Southern California will converge on San Diego to participate in Pedal the Cause, a cycling event to support local cancer research and help fast-track life-saving treatments.

The impact of sequestration has led to billions of dollars in cuts to federal research funding and now more than ever research laboratories need to find new and creative ways to fund their efforts.

Today, nearly everyone has been touched by cancer or knows someone who has. Pedal the Cause participants will raise much-needed support specifically for cancer research. The first of its kind for San Diego, Pedal the Cause invites all of Southern California to join hundreds of riders of all experience levels cycling 25-, 50-, 115- or 180-mile courses, or volunteer anytime during event weekend.

"San Diego is fortunate to have world-class cancer research and treatment institutions, and we are putting on a world-class event to support them, with the help of thousands of people from around Southern California," said Pedal the Cause founder and two-time lymphoma survivor Bill Koman. "Pedal the Cause will directly benefit San Diego's three National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers."

The Pedal the Cause beneficiaries are:

• UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
• Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies

"San Diego is unique in having a cluster of cancer centers that collaborate effectively, and Pedal the Cause will enable us to step up our game together," said Garth Powis, D.Phil., Director of Sanford-Burnham's NCI-designated Cancer Center and Team Captain of the Institute's Pedal the Cause riders. "With this support, we can generate new discoveries about the causes of cancer, identify new targets for drug discovery, and turn these discoveries into new treatments for cancer patients who desperately need them."

Individuals and companies from all over the region are finding innovative ways to get involved with Pedal the Cause. For example, Life Technologies' team of 30 riders has raised nearly $40,000 to date and is also encouraging employees to get involved by volunteering during the weekend event.

"At Life Technologies, we believe that in order to pursue a life without cancer we need to do everything possible to help empower the cancer research community," said Greg Lucier, chairman and CEO of Life Technologies. "By partnering with organizations like Pedal the Cause, we are helping to drive the awareness and fuel the research that will truly make a difference."  

Other life sciences companies from around San Diego are also hosting teams and incorporating Pedal the Cause into their existing employee wellness programs, like CareFusion, Qualcomm Life, Pfizer, Prometheus, Foundation Medicine, BIOCOM, BioMed Realty. The San Diego business community has rallied to Pedal the Cause, led by Malin Burnham, Wells Fargo, The Warranty Group, and The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Renowned caterer Giuseppe Ciuffa, The Counter Custom Built Burgers and Peet's Coffee are also supporting Pedal the Cause with great food and drinks for the riders and volunteers throughout the weekend.

Learn more about Pedal the Cause, the benefits for riders, and all the ways to get involved at sandiego.pedalthecause.org.

About Pedal the Cause
Founded in 2012, Pedal The Cause-San Diego is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation established to fund, plan and manage an annual cycling fundraiser in which 100% of the proceeds stay in San Diego to benefit cancer research the three National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers. It is our hope that research funded by Pedal The Cause will ultimately lead to a cure for cancer, and propel San Diego to the forefront of cancer cures and care. For more information, please visit www.pedalthecause.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pedalthecause and Twitter @pedalthecause.

Media Contact Information:
AnnaMaria White
[email protected]
917.579.4716

SOURCE Pedal the Cause - San Diego