The money raised gets Curebound closer to its strategic goal of investing in high-impact cancer studies with the power to save lives
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CancerChallenge–Over 3,000 riders, runners, walkers, and spinners joined forces at UC San Diego last month for the 2025 Curebound Cancer Challenge (formerly Padres Pedal the Cause), generating an outpouring of community support to raise $4 million to advance life-saving cancer research in the San Diego region.
Funds raised through the Challenge—combined with year-round donor support and signature Curebound events like last May’s Elton John concert at Petco Park—have enabled Curebound to provide $43+ million in funding to 143 study grants for 23 types of cancers, with plans to fund an additional $8-$10 million this year. This has created a wave of early-stage cancer research, driving groundbreaking studies, publications, patents, partnerships, and clinical trials. This progress reflects the strength and vision of Curebound’s research investment strategy.
The real challenge—there are more cancer studies to be funded than there are dollars to support them, according to Curebound Chief Science Advisor Ezra Cohen, MD.
“There are effective cancer therapies available today that didn’t exist a year ago—real breakthroughs that are saving lives right now,” said Dr. Cohen. “Just imagine where we could be a year from now, or five years from now, if we continue to invest in promising early-stage studies with the potential to change the future of cancer treatment. But with federal funding cuts and dozens of vital studies at risk of stalling, we can’t afford to rest. We must act boldly, supporting high-risk, high-reward research led by the brightest scientific minds to bring the next generation of life-saving discoveries to patients.”
See the Curebound research portfolio HERE. Video of Curebound Chief Science Advisor Ezra Cohen, MD HERE.
The August Curebound Cancer Challenge brought together cancer patients, families, researchers, and supporters from across the region, united by a common goal: to find cures for cancers in our lifetimes. Every dollar raised will fund cancer research at San Diego’s six leading research centers including UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Salk Institute, Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Rady Children’s Health, and Scripps Research. These collaborations are driving innovation in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, positioning San Diego as one of the most dynamic cancer research hubs in the nation.
Curebound Cancer Challenge attracted impressive corporate and institutional support from Edward Jones San Diego, UC San Diego, Janux Therapeutics, Vividion Therapeutics, JP Morgan, Lusardi Construction, Pfizer, Resmed, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BD, CBRE, Dexcom, Illumina, Pfizer, Genentech, Ranch & Coast, San Diego Self Storage, Koman Family Foundation, Maravai Life Sciences, WE O’Neil Construction, and Bernstein Private Wealth Management.
“The remarkable show of support from the San Diego community at Curebound’s Cancer Challenge will continue to fuel the groundbreaking work being done right here in our region,” said Anne Marbarger, CEO of Curebound. “Every dollar raised drives innovative research and moves us closer to a world without cancer.”
For more information about getting involved in Curebound Cancer Challenge 2026, contact Liz DeGeronimo at [email protected].
About Curebound
Curebound is a philanthropic organization that invests in cancer research with the power to save lives. Through collaborative grants, corporate partnerships, and strategic investments, Curebound’s aim is to significantly accelerate better prevention, detection, and treatments for cancer. Headquartered in the major U.S. biotech hub of San Diego, amid 3,000+ life sciences companies, leading health systems, and world-class research institutions, Curebound partners with these organizations to forge interdisciplinary collaboration, foster knowledge sharing, and fund pioneering cancer research. So far, Curebound has funded $43+ million in cancer research, awarding 143 study grants for 23 types of pediatric and adult cancers with one vision: cures in our lifetime. Join us – www.curebound.org.
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Hilary McCarthy
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