The St. Louis community braved the snowy weather on Thursday night for the Pedal the Cause Check Presentation Celebration at Ballpark Village, as the organization unveiled the total amount of money they raised in 2018 to fund critical cancer research: $4,524,521 to Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. One hundred percent of this donation will fund ideas in adult and pediatric cancer research that is happening in St. Louis. In nine years, Pedal the Cause has donated $24,334,189 to these beneficiaries, funding 109 cancer research projects — including 80 adult and 29 pediatric projects. Funds donated by Pedal the Cause in 2018 will be distributed to the most promising research projects in 2019.

This record-breaking $4.5-million donation was raised by 3,598 riders and spinners, 377 kids and over 1,200 volunteers who participated in the ninth annual Pedal the Cause, a cycling challenge and weekend community celebration with the goal of curing all cancers for everyone. Pedal the Cause 2018 took place on September 29 and 30 at the Chesterfield Amphitheater and fundraising continued for participants until October 31.

“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.”

“We are incredibly proud of our Pedal family for their efforts this year,” said Pedal the Cause Executive Director Jay Indovino. “Their drive and passion for funding cancer research, along with the critical support of our sponsors, have allowed Pedal the Cause the write this enormous, record-breaking check that will create real impact. We are confident through new treatments, cures and preventions funded by Pedal the Cause will one day create a world without cancer.”

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 cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. With the support of more than 40,000 donors in 2018, Pedal the Cause is the region’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event.