Pedal the Cause presented its largest ever donation of nearly $2.8 million to advance leading-edge cancer research during the Pedal the Cause 2014 Check Presentation Celebration at Ballpark Village on Nov. 20. The donation will support cancer research at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine as well as St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

From left: Jay Indovino, executive director of Pedal the Cause; Lee Fetter, president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation; Carrie Sweigart, COO of Pedal the Cause; and Rich Liekweg, executive vice president of BJC HealthCare.

“With government research dollars stretched thin, the majority of what gets funded at the national level are projects that are well established – projects that don't take the risks that may be associated with new ideas,” said Ravi Uppaluri, MD, PhD, associate professor of otolaryngology and surgical oncologist at Washington University School of Medicine. “Funds from Pedal the Cause fill this void, supporting the newest and most innovative projects that are not yet eligible for federal funding.”

Nearly 4,000 Pedal the Cause participants—including 2,600 riders—raised the money during a weekend of activities in downtown St. Louis on Sept. 27 and 28. Pedal the Cause supports the Siteman Cancer Center through The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Every dollar raised goes toward fast-tracking better treatments and prevention strategies for cancer.

After just five events since Pedal the Cause was founded in 2009, the organization has raised $9.36 million to support more than 30 cancer research projects, including research focused on leukemia, multiple myeloma, melanoma, and prostate, breast, cervical, brain, kidney, head and neck, colon and pancreatic cancers.

The next Pedal the Cause event will be held Sept. 26 & 27, 2015. For more information, visit www.pedalthecause.org.

About Pedal the Cause

Pedal the Cause is the premier cycling experience in the region, the pinnacle event of the year, and the driving force behind creating a world without cancer. Pedal the Cause is the only St. Louis event that gives 100% of participant donations to the Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital to accelerate lifesaving cancer research.

About The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital

The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital helps donors enrich lives, save lives and transform patient care through charitable gifts. The patient is at the heart of everything we do.

Every gift to The Foundation helps Barnes-Jewish Hospital remain one of America’s top hospitals by funding innovative research for disease prevention and cure; medical education for doctors, nurses and pharmacists; technology and equipment; care essentials for patients in need like medicine and lodging; and community outreach to promote health and wellness.

To give where care matters most, please call the Foundation at 314-286-0600 or visit www.GivingBarnesJewish.org.