Pedal the Cause is proud to announce the funding of four new cancer research projects and two clinical trials at Siteman Cancer Center. The projects and trials will benefit from nearly $1.4 million in new grants awarded through the Siteman Investment Program. Research focused on breast and ovarian cancer development, chemoradiation therapy for cervical cancer, immunotherapy for leukemia and enhancing the well-being of family caregivers of cancer hospice patients are included in these projects. One clinical trial focuses on improving the efficacy of a personalized cancer vaccine for patients with glioblastoma, which is the deadliest brain tumor in adults, and another focuses on evaluating the efficacy and safety of one week of radiotherapy versus three weeks for breast cancer patients, with the ultimate goal of reducing treatment time without negatively affecting patient outcomes.

In 2023, Pedal the Cause donated $3,502,742 to the Siteman Investment Fund to support innovative research projects at Siteman Cancer Center that will ultimately advance new ideas in prevention and treatment, improve outcomes for those stricken by the disease and speed these new effective treatments to market.

“The generosity of Pedal the Cause, including donors, sponsors, riders, volunteers and others, is an investment in science, health, our community and ourselves,” said Timothy J. Eberlein, M.D., director of Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. “The millions of dollars raised since 2010 have launched multiple new approaches to reducing the burden of cancer on all of us. Together, we are making cancer a chronic disease – a very important step toward our ultimate goal: creating a world without cancer.”

Pedal the Cause is one of the top-ten largest cause-related cycling events in the country, having donated over $45.8 million since 2010 to fund the best and brightest ideas in cancer research. All – 100 percent – of participant-raised funds support innovative cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This research would otherwise go unfunded. To date, Pedal the Cause has funded 229 cancer research projects – 177 adult and 52 pediatric.

“It’s exciting to see such momentum in cancer research thanks to the inspiring participants and fantastic partnerships built through Pedal the Cause,” said Susan Ell, vice president and executive director of The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a longtime partner that stewards Pedal the Cause donations through its Cancer Frontier Fund. “We are grateful to every Pedal the Cause supporter and look forward to a special 15th ride weekend this September. With all of us working together for a common purpose, research-scientists and physicians at Siteman are moving cancer research forward to find new treatments—and more hope—faster. That’s the real power of partnership.”

This year, Pedal the Cause, presented by Edward Jones, returns for its fifteenth year of raising critical funds for adult and pediatric cancer research with an exciting lineup of cycling and community events. On September 21 and 22, thousands will gather in St. Charles for a celebratory weekend of pedaling, community, festivities and family fun. Registration is now open for bike riders of all levels, spinners, virtual fundraisers, Kids Challengers and volunteers with a passion to create a world without cancer.