More than 3,000 people participated in the 2025 Curebound Cancer Challenge held at UC San Diego in August, raising an impressive $4 million to advance cancer research. This event united cancer patients, survivors, families, and researchers, all committed to the shared goal of accelerating the search for effective treatments and cures.
The Challenge went beyond just the physical activities of riding, running, walking, and spinning. It highlighted the strength of community support and the collective effort to combat cancer. Since its inception, Curebound has provided over $43 million in funding, supporting 143 study grants across 23 different types of cancer. The funds generated from this year’s event, combined with contributions from donors and previous initiatives such as the Elton John concert in May at Petco Park, will enable Curebound to invest an additional $8 to $10 million in early-stage research this year.
Despite these advancements, the demand for funding remains significant. “There are effective cancer therapies available today that didn’t exist a year ago—real breakthroughs that are saving lives right now,” said Ezra Cohen, MD, Chief Science Advisor for Curebound. He emphasized the importance of ongoing investment in promising early-stage studies, stating, “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.”
Curebound’s strategic funding approach has catalyzed groundbreaking studies, patents, clinical trials, and partnerships, establishing San Diego as a leading hub for cancer research. The funding from the Challenge directly supports six key institutions: the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Salk Institute, Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Rady Children’s Health, and Scripps Research.
Corporate and institutional support for the event was robust, with contributions from Edward Jones San Diego, Janux Therapeutics, Vividion Therapeutics, JP Morgan, Lusardi Construction, Pfizer, Resmed, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BD, CBRE, Dexcom, Illumina, Genentech, Koman Family Foundation, Maravai Life Sciences, WE O’Neil Construction, and Bernstein Private Wealth Management.
Anne Marbarger, CEO of Curebound, expressed gratitude for the community’s participation. “The remarkable show of support from the San Diego community at Curebound’s Cancer Challenge will continue to fuel the groundbreaking work being done right here in our region,” she stated. “Every dollar raised drives innovative research and moves us closer to a world without cancer.”
For further details about Curebound and the upcoming 2026 Cancer Challenge, additional information is available on their website.