Registration opens for 10th annual UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge
Participants can ride, run or walk to support groundbreaking cancer research
Orange, Calif. — The UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge is celebrating its 10th annual ride, run and walk event on Saturday, Oct. 10, on the UC Irvine campus.
Individuals can register to participate in street bike routes ranging from 14 to 100 miles, a mountain bike course or a 5K run/walk. Throughout the morning, a wellness festival will feature food, awards and live musical entertainment for the entire community. All participant-raised funds support critical cancer research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Rady Children’s Health.
Millions raised for cancer research
The 10th anniversary event will continue the momentum of last year’s record-breaking participation in which 4,530 participants raised more than $1.6 million, reflecting the community’s increasing support for innovative cancer research and clinical trials. This brings the total raised to $7.75 million since the launch of the event in 2017.
Every dollar raised for the Anti-Cancer Challenge goes directly to cancer research. To date, the event has funded 155 pilot projects, early phase clinical trials and ambitious translational research efforts that advance treatments and seek potential cures.
Pre-challenge events
Leading up to event day, the public can also attend free events to connect with researchers, learn how their contributions make a difference and explore multiple ways to support the fight against cancer.
These events include:
Kickoff and grant awards announcement (June 4): Dr. Richard Van Etten, director of the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and founder of the Anti-Cancer Challenge, will unveil new projects funded by last year's challenge. This inaugural event promises to showcase the tangible impact of the community’s support in the fight against cancer.
Rallies (July 18, Sept. 6): Morning training rides, runs and walks are offered at the UC Irvine campus leading up to the October event. These sessions help participants prepare physically for the routes and meet other community members.
Research reception and lab tours (Aug. 13): Attendees will join exclusive lab tours and meet the scientists and clinicians driving the Anti-Cancer Challenge-funded cancer research projects.
Marking this milestone 10th anniversary, the kickoff and research reception will be held for the first time in the new Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, a 215,000-square-foot facility and one of the largest interdisciplinary research centers on the West Coast dedicated to collaborative 'bench to bedside' innovation.
These community lead-up events allow individuals unique opportunities to connect with researchers and learn firsthand how their work translates into real progress in cancer treatments, cures and prevention.
For event information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Anti-Cancer Challenge Associate Director of Development Amber Hildebrand at anti-cancerchallenge@uci.edu.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,461-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Health — Orange, its flagship hospital, the UCI Health — Irvine acute care hospital and medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Health — Orange provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).