Funds support research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and its pediatric cancer affiliate, CHOC.
09 November 2022
Irvine, Calif. — More than 3,000 participants, donors and supporters who joined the 2022 UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge on Oct. 8 helped raise $1 million for innovative cancer research.
All proceeds will support promising cancer pilot projects and early-stage clinical trials at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center based in Orange County. Through a special partnership with CHOC, a portion of the funds will be dedicated to pediatric cancer research.
The record-breaking fundraising far exceeded the peer-to-peer campaign’s total for 2021. In the previous five years of the annual ride, run and walk event, participants in the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge had raised a total of $2.6 million for cancer research. which helped initiate research that has raised an additional $21.9 million in extramural grants awarded to UCI investigators.
“I am grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from our participants, donors and sponsors this year,” said Richard A. Van Etten, MD, PhD, director of the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and founder of the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge. “The support of our community and the collaboration among the more than 200 UCI researchers who work tirelessly to conduct promising cancer research moves us closer to our goal of preventing, treating and curing all forms of the disease.”
Sponsors of the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge underwrite the costs of the events, ensuring that 100% of the funds raised by participants go directly to the cause. This year’s sponsors included LA Fitness, Club Studio, Kay Family Foundation, Hensel Phelps, KTLA, Anaheim Ducks, Dunkin’, Standard Drywall, Enclos, GSK, Bristol Meyers Squibb and Helio Genomics.
Held in person at Aldrich Park on the university’s Irvine campus for the first time since 2019, riders arrived at 6 a.m. to prepare for the 14, 35, 60 and 100 mile bike routes. Each group was welcomed by UCI leadership, including Van Etten, Michael J. Stamos, MD, dean of the UCI School of Medicine, and Chad Lefteris, CEO of UCI Health.
At the start of the 5K and 10K run/walk, country recording artist Rick Monroe sang the national anthem. He was joined by KTLA reporter and Orange County Bureau Chief Chip Yost, who served as the opening ceremony representative for the 2022 UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge.
The event also included a family festival hosted by UCI Health, where representatives from UCI Alpha Clinic, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and UCI Health Digestive Health Institute connected with participants and shared information about them. services.
Following the activities, Andrew Edwards, founder and owner of the Anaheim Hills Saddle Club, was honored along with UCI Health urologic cancer surgeon Thomas Ahlering, MD, during the awards ceremony for their dedication and support of cancer research.
Ronit Benjamin, volunteer chair of the 2022 UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge and top individual fundraiser, said: “Being involved in the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge these past four years has been truly fulfilling for me. By honoring my father-in-law and grandparents, I am helping others live or have a better life. Every word we speak and every action we take affects our future, so I encourage everyone to come together and make a difference!”
Jennifer Sarrail, executive director of UCI Anti-Cancer, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support of the community.
“We are grateful to every person who joined us for this year’s event and would like to especially acknowledge our Research Partners for their generosity and support,” said Sarrail.
UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge in Research partners are individuals, teams and corporations who raise or donate $50,000 or more. This year’s Search Partners include Team Benjamin & Wagner, Team Grandma Marcia, Monster Energy Cares, Lynn Capouya, Team Michelle & friends and Hensel Phelps.
With the $1 million raised this year, UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge funds will continue to support new projects that help investigators generate crucial preliminary findings that could lead to future breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
The UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge is a community movement and annual ride, run and walk event to raise awareness and funds for cancer research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and its pediatric cancer partner, CHOC. One hundred percent of the dollars raised by participants goes to promising cancer research. For more information, visit www.anti-cancerchallenge.org.
of UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Centerr is at the forefront of discovering new ways to fight cancer. As one of only 53 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, the center combines cutting-edge research, clinical trials and world-class patient care. In 2020 alone, more than 7,250 new patients benefited from the cancer center’s advanced treatments.
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