San Diego CA— Padres Pedal the Cause is proud to announce that it has raised over $120,000 from the organization’s 2^nd annual A World Without Cancer Day, held on Saturday, June 20. Over 640 people registered for the grassroots, virtual event, raising funds for collaborative cancer research in San Diego. Inspired by the campaign #Do20Give20, participants committed to doing twenty minutes, miles or repetitions of movement from several participation options: cycling or run/walking on their own; attending a live, virtual class hosted by community partners, Orangetheory Fitness, YogaSix, and breast cancer fighter/spin instructor Kellie Sullivan; and even joining a Peloton class.
Participants matched their commitment to “Do 20” with a $20 or more donation to Padres Pedal the Cause, an organization that donates 100% of fundraising dollars to cancer research. Every dollar will fund potentially life-saving cancer research projects and clinical trials like the 54 translation grants, 6 clinical trials, and 2 team science awards the organization has funded over the past eight years. Donations can be made by visiting the Padres Pedal the Cause website (gopedal.org/wwcd).
Padres Pedal the Cause is recognized for funding top quality, collaborative cancer research in San Diego, and putting on a first-class annual event on centerfield at Petco Park. While the commitment to fund cancer research remains unchanged, social distancing measures forced the organization to pivot sharply away from a centralized, mass event. In going virtual for A World Without Cancer Day, Padres Pedal announced a collaboration with another impactful San Diego cancer fundraising organization, the Immunotherapy Foundation (IF). In partnership, IF and Padres Pedal integrated the Peloton community into A World Without Cancer Day by tying a 10am live Peloton ride into the schedule for June 20 to raise more awareness and funding.
Padres Pedal the Cause Executive Director Anne Marbarger attributes the campaign’s success to the pervasiveness of cancer and a core desire to help that so many people experience when they see a loved one fight cancer. “It is heartwarming to know and inspiring to see so many people compelled to donate and move in honor of someone going through a cancer journey. Cancer cuts across all communities and families, even during a global pandemic, and we are proud to provide a forum wherein cancer fighters can find hope and meaning while funding ground-breaking research.”
Padres Pedal the Cause is committed to supporting the cancer community by continuing to fund scientific research and clinical trials, and through new support programs. In the coming weeks, the organization will announce the next round of projects to receive funding and launch a new program, in partnership with the San Diego Padres and Susan G. Komen called Groceries4Good, which funds and delivers complimentary groceries for cancer patients in need. To learn more and donate, visit the Padres Pedal the Cause website at www.gopedal.org and follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram.