Records were broken last weekend as the St. Louis community gathered at Ballpark Village to hear Pedal the Cause announce their 2017 donation total at the Check Presentation Celebration: $4,002,639 to Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. One hundred percent of this donation will fund adult and pediatric cancer research right here in St. Louis. This donation was raised by over 3,074 riders and stationary cyclists, 800 volunteers, 400 virtual riders and 300 kids participating in the eighth annual Pedal the Cause — a cycling challenge and weekend community celebration with the goal of curing all cancers for everyone. Pedal the Cause 2017 took place on September 23 and 24 at the Chesterfield Amphitheater.

“The difference between an average institution and a world-class institution is community support,” said Deputy Director of Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, John DiPersio, MD, PhD. “Pedal the Cause is the force in St. Louis that has helped elevate Siteman to a world-class institution. The caliber of research that we are able to perform is a direct effect of this community support, and we could not be more grateful for this tremendous gift.”

“Crossing the $4 million mark is a huge accomplishment for the Pedal the Cause family and the St. Louis community,” said Executive Director of Pedal the Cause, Jay Indovino. “This record-breaking donation represents more than just dollars, it represents the passion, determination, and selflessness of our community. It represents the hope that one day we won’t need to do this anymore because we will fulfill our mission and end this terrible disease.”

The generous support of sponsors, led by Edward Jones as the presenting sponsor, ensures that 100 percent of donations made to Pedal the Cause directly fund the best and brightest cancer research projects at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. With the support of more than 30,000 donors, Pedal the Cause is the region’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event. In eight years of fundraising, Pedal the Cause has donated $19,809,668 to their beneficiaries, funding 92 cancer research projects — including 64 adult and 28 pediatric projects. Funds donated by Pedal the Cause in 2017 will be distributed to the most promising research projects in 2018.