Curebound Cancer Challenge Raises $4 Million to Accelerate Life-Saving Cancer Research in San Diego
In a powerful display of community unity and scientific ambition, more than 3,000 participants—riders, runners, walkers, and spinners—gathered at the University of California, San Diego last month for the 2025 Curebound Cancer Challenge, formerly known as Padres Pedal the Cause. Their collective energy and generosity fueled a remarkable milestone: $4 million raised to support cutting-edge, early-stage cancer research across the San Diego region. This single-day event has become a cornerstone of Curebound’s mission to eradicate cancer in our lifetimes, galvanizing patients, families, researchers, clinicians, and advocates in a shared commitment to turning hope into healing.
The funds generated from the August Challenge are part of a broader, year-round momentum that has positioned Curebound as one of the most impactful local catalysts for oncology innovation. Combined with sustained donor contributions and high-profile signature events—such as the star-studded Elton John AIDS Foundation and Curebound benefit concert at Petco Park in May 2025—Curebound has now awarded over $43 million in research grants to support 143 distinct studies targeting 23 different types of cancer. With plans to distribute an additional $8–10 million in 2025 alone, the organization is fueling a surge of discovery that is transforming San Diego into a national epicenter for cancer breakthroughs.
This strategic investment model focuses on high-potential, early-stage research—the critical phase where novel ideas are most vulnerable due to lack of traditional funding. Federal grants, particularly from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI), have become increasingly competitive and risk-averse, often overlooking bold, unconventional approaches that could yield transformative therapies. Curebound steps into this gap, providing the seed capital that allows visionary scientists to gather preliminary data, file patents, publish findings, and ultimately attract larger institutional or pharmaceutical partnerships.
The results speak for themselves. Curebound-funded projects have already led to peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, intellectual property filings, industry collaborations, and clinical trials that bring promising treatments directly to patients. From immunotherapies that reprogram the body’s own defenses to target tumors, to liquid biopsies enabling earlier detection, to pediatric cancer therapies designed with fewer long-term side effects—San Diego’s research ecosystem is thriving, thanks in large part to Curebound’s agile and mission-driven funding strategy.
Yet, despite this progress, the need remains urgent. According to Dr. Ezra Cohen, Chief Science Advisor at Curebound and a nationally recognized oncologist, the pipeline of promising research far outpaces available resources.
“There are effective cancer therapies available today that didn’t exist a year ago—real breakthroughs that are saving lives right now,” Dr. Cohen emphasized. “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.”
Dr. Cohen’s words underscore a sobering reality: for every funded study, multiple equally compelling proposals go unfunded—not due to lack of merit, but due to financial constraints. This “innovation gap” represents lost opportunities to accelerate cures, particularly for rare or understudied cancers that affect children, minorities, or underserved populations.
The 2025 Curebound Cancer Challenge was more than a fundraising event—it was a living testament to community resilience and collective purpose. Participants included cancer survivors celebrating remission, families honoring loved ones lost, researchers who see their work come to life through donor support, and volunteers who believe in a future without cancer. The event’s inclusive format—offering cycling routes of varying lengths, 5K runs, family-friendly walks, and indoor spin sessions—ensured that anyone, regardless of age or ability, could contribute to the cause.
Every dollar raised flows directly to six of San Diego’s world-renowned research institutions, creating a collaborative network that amplifies impact:
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center – A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center pioneering precision oncology and clinical translation.
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies – Unlocking fundamental mechanisms of cancer cell biology and metabolism.
- Sanford Burnham Prebys – Developing novel drug targets and therapeutic platforms, especially in hard-to-treat cancers.
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology – Leading the charge in cancer immunotherapy and understanding the tumor microenvironment.
- Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine – Advancing genomic diagnostics and tailored therapies for pediatric cancers.
- Scripps Research – Innovating in chemical biology, drug discovery, and early detection technologies.
This ecosystem of excellence thrives on collaboration. Curebound intentionally funds projects that encourage cross-institutional partnerships, breaking down silos and accelerating the path from bench to bedside. For example, a recent grant supported a joint effort between immunologists at La Jolla Institute and bioengineers at UC San Diego to develop a nanoparticle-based vaccine that trains T cells to recognize and destroy residual cancer cells after surgery—a strategy that could prevent recurrence in breast and lung cancer patients.
Looking ahead, Curebound aims not only to increase funding but to deepen its impact through strategic focus areas: early detection, health equity in cancer care, pediatric oncology, and therapies for treatment-resistant cancers. The organization is also investing in mentorship programs to nurture the next generation of cancer scientists, ensuring San Diego’s leadership in oncology endures for decades to come.
As Dr. Cohen poignantly notes, “Cancer doesn’t wait—and neither can we.” The $4 million raised at the 2025 Curebound Cancer Challenge is more than a number; it’s a lifeline for researchers on the brink of discovery, a beacon of hope for patients in need, and a declaration that San Diego is committed to ending cancer in our lifetime.
