The San Diego-based organization seeks to raise funds for local research institutions to research a cure for cancer.

Following the belief that cancer’s cure will be found locally, the Curebound Cancer Challenge, San Diego’s largest community-powered cancer research fundraiser, will ride, run, walk, spin and more through La Jolla Saturday, Aug 1, with most activities based at UC San Diego. 

Amid researchers and cancer fighters sharing stories of breakthroughs and survival, about 3,500 participants of all ages are expected to take part in cycling along Torrey Pines courses to complete 25, 55 or 75 miles; run a 10K around UCSD and through La Jolla Farms; walk a 5K around UCSD; or take yoga, spin or group fitness classes on campus.

The Curebound Cancer Challenge also features a Kid Zone with a putt-putt green, a scavenger hunt for medals and games; premium UCSD food experiences, local craft beer and beverages from breweries including Coronado Brewing Company and JuneShine; live music; and an Honor Wall presented by Janux Therapeutics and Survivor Bell.

Image courtesy of Asilomar Photography

The Curebound Cancer Challenge, formerly Padres Pedal the Cause, is “one big community accelerator for San Diego,” said Amy Koman, who, with her husband, cancer survivor Bill, co-founded Curebound and created the Challenge.

The acceleration is aimed at translational cancer research projects through Curebound’s nonprofit philanthropy, which includes the one-day Cancer Challenge and large, annual concerts (most recently featuring Elton John and Pink), along with donation drives of all sizes.

The Curebound Cancer Challenge is focused at UCSD “because that’s the mecca” for science and cancer research, Koman said, with biomedical organizations including Sanford Burnham Prebys, UCSD, Salk Institute, Scripps Research and more.

“La Jolla is where all this action in San Diego is taking place,” she said. “So to have the La Jolla community be a big part of this only makes sense.”

The “unique” Curebound model enforces the renowned collaboration of La Jolla’s biomedical community: “In order to get money for this seed research and these hard-to-understand cancers,” Koman said, “these institutions have to work together. 

Cancer is “in our backyard,” Koman added, with so many affected by diagnoses. “Spend one day out of 365 celebrating survivors, supporting people going through the diagnosis, and also celebrating the researchers and the impact that these people give to all of our lives every day: that’s the meat of the Challenge in my mind.”

Image courtesy of Asilomar Photography

The Challenge has raised $24.5 million since its launch, with 100% of every participant-raised dollar going directly to cancer research and to address cuts to National Institutes of Health funding.

Koman is not only Curebound’s co-founder; she’s also co-captain of the “Bill’s Angels” team, an all-women fundraising team that has raised $3.9 million for cancer research over the last decade.

Named for Bill Koman, Bill’s Angels, with 150 members and growing, has so far raised more than $110,000 in 2026.

The team “started with a story for me personally, having a husband that [survived] cancer twice,” Koman said, progressing to rallying hundreds of women and “going alongside them with their journeys. Many of our Bill’s Angels are survivors.”

The power of the Bill’s Angels team, co-captain and La Jolla resident Denise Hawkinson said, is its ability to resonate with so many whose lives have been touched by cancer.

“We want to leave our daughters and their future generations in a better place, and we want to know we’re doing our part,” Hawkinson said.

Image courtesy of Asilomar Photography

Beyond being part of a team, individuals can join the Challenge at any level, Hawkinson said. People are also encouraged to fund raise in their neighborhoods or among friend groups, as no donation is too small.

Koman also invites corporate sponsorships and La Jolla companies to get involved in fundraising; several community businesses like Beaumont’s Eatery and Bird Rock Coffee Roasters have a long history of organizing teams or donating to Curebound.

“You add all that up,” Koman said. “I can’t think of anything else that can bring such a wide community of people together in different ways.”

The fundraising is so important, as Curebound seeks to have San Diego be the city that cures cancer.

“There’s no reason, when cancer is finally cured, that it wouldn’t be in San Diego,” Koman said. “We have every researcher, every tool. … And we have the energy.”

This year, Curebound has already received 186 letters of intent from 69 teams seeking cancer study grants, a 21% increase from 2025 and an all-time record, pointing to an urgency for more funding.

It’s a need Koman knows locals can meet:

“There’s so much potential in San Diego.”

To join the Curebound Cancer Challenge, or to donate or volunteer, visit curebound.org. 

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