Curebound challenge draws thousands, raises millions for cancer research

More than 3,000 people raised an estimated $3.3 million as they gathered Aug. 2 at UC San Diego’s RIMAC Field in La Jolla with the goal of helping local cancer research institutions.

The Curebound Cancer Challenge, formerly known as Padres Pedal the Cause, invites participants to a variety of events along the San Diego coast.

The attractions included three long cycling routes, a family-friendly 5K walk/run, a new 10K run, 50-minute spin classes and more.

Beaumont’s Cancer Crushers — a La Jolla-based team led by Dave Heine, owner of Beaumont’s restaurant in Bird Rock, and Jeff Macelli, an adviser with the Morgan Stanley financial services company — was the leading fundraising group, raking in over $844,000 in donations so far, Macelli said.

With a typical roster of 20-35 people, the group has consistently been one of the event’s top fundraisers.

The Curebound Cancer Challenge aims to aid cancer research at six area institutions: UC San Diego, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Sanford Burnham Prebys, Scripps Research and the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, all in La Jolla, and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.

Liz DeGeronimo, director of community fundraising for Curebound, said teams have until Friday, Aug. 29, to collect more donations. Learn more at curebound.org/curebound-cancer-challenge.