Inaugural PNC Presents Rush to Crush Cancer Raised More than $600,000 for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

July 17, 2023

This year’s event inspired 828 riders from 20 states to cycle 16,480 miles.

PITTSBURGH, PA (July 17, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The inaugural PNC presents Rush to Crush Cancer, held on May 19-20, raised more than $600,000 for cancer research at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. During the event, 828 riders from 20 states cycled 16,480 miles while inspiring more than 4,000 charity donations.

“We’re incredibly proud of the commitment and determination from our riders at our first Rush to Crush Cancer event,” said Elizabeth Wild, president of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “It was inspiring to see how this brought the community together to raise critical funds for cancer research at UPMC Hillman. We hope to build on this momentum and have even more of an impact at future events.”

This year’s top team was Brian P. Shanahan, which raised $87,085.24. The team rode in honor of Shanahan, who is being treated for pancreatic cancer and was inspired to donate $3 million to UPMC Hillman, a portion of which was used to bring Rush to Crush Cancer to life. Shanahan believes strongly in supporting cancer research and raising funds through an annual, sustainable event.

Other top teams include:

• No Excuse, Team Captain Gina Caligure, $50,653.47
• Teambogo / UPMC International, Team Captain, Chuck Bogosta, $27,937.92
• Pitt Athletics, Team Captain, Katelyn Fischer, $27,756.22

“Every rider-raised dollar will go to investing in the work that promises to unlock a future without cancer,” said Robert Ferris, M.D., Ph.D., director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “The $600,000 raised will not only support research in the laboratories which will lead to improved treatments but will also provide resources to help us better serve the region’s health care needs.”

This year’s event challenged participants to ride 15-, 40- or 60-miles through Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. Prior to the bike rides, over 300 cancer survivors and their families and friends participated in the PNC Survivors Walk on the North Shore.

A leader in cancer research, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is one of only 52 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the U.S. With 76 locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and New York—along with facilities in Ireland and Italy, the center treats more than 140,000 patients each year.

“What began in Pittsburgh in 1985 as a local research facility has now become a world-renowned regional and international network of cancer experts using the latest technologies to deliver better patient outcomes,” said Stanley Marks, M.D., chairman of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “We are excited to grow Rush to Crush Cancer and inspire donations that will allow us to continue to make advances through groundbreaking research to benefit those whose lives have been impacted by cancer.”

Registration for the 2024 Run to Crush Cancer will open in fall 2023. For more information, visit www.rushtocrushcancer.org. Follow Rush to Crush Cancer on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for important updates and event information.

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About Rush to Crush Cancer

Rush to Crush Cancer is a community-based event that will impact cancer research and improve lives. It’s not a race but rather a ride bringing people together to pedal, partner, and participate to help raise critical funds for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, a leader in cancer research and patient care. The event includes three ride distances and many ways to get involved. There also is a survivors walk for those who have been impacted by cancer. Read more at www.rushtocrushcancer.org.

FACEBOOK: @RushtoCrushCancer INSTAGRAM: @RushtoCrushCancer

TWITTER: @R2C_Cancer

About UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center connects patients to the integrated expertise of leading clinicians, academic researchers, specialty programs and treatment centers. By partnering with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region, is accelerating the breakthroughs from the lab to clinical practice around the world. UPMC – nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for excellence in cancer care – has more than 70 cancer treatment locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Maryland as well as centers in Ireland and Italy. Backed by the collective strength of UPMC, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center provides leading-edge treatments and the latest in clinical investigations to transform cancer research, care and prevention—one patient at a time.

FACEBOOK: @UPMCHillmanCancerCenter INSTAGRAM: @upmchillmancancercenter TWITTER: @UPMCHillmanCC