Curebound launches all-new Curebound Cancer Challenge event and calls on individuals, corporations, and philanthropists to join together to support innovative cancer research as federal grants evaporate and scientists brace for more cuts next year
Cancer research and the scientists conducting vital studies are facing an uncertain financial future. National Institutes of Health slashed $1.81 billion in federal agency grants in 2025, according to an analysis published in JAMA. Nearly 700 grants across 24 NIH institutes were affected, covering research on cancer, aging, diabetes and more. The federal administration has also proposed a 40% cut to NIH’s 2026 budget.
Health Technology Insights: Sky Labs at Forefront of Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring
“The stakes are high. Now more than ever, we need to raise more and fund more. People with cancer can’t afford to wait for federal budgets, court orders or maybes,” says Curebound CEO Anne Marbarger.
Curebound, a philanthropic organization that invests in cancer research with the power to save lives, is committed to raising the funds needed to ensure the significant momentum in cancer research continues. Last month, Curebound’s Concert for Cures: Elton John event at Petco Park raised $11.5 million, and Curebound continues the battle with an all-new Curebound Cancer Challenge on August 2 at UC San Diego.
Health Technology Insights: Tempus Partners with Northwestern’s Abrams Center to Use AI in Alzheimer’s Research
At Curebound Cancer Challenge , Curebound invites San Diego’s diverse communities to support important cancer research with a challenge to run, bike, walk, or spin and celebrate progress with an elevated fundraising experience. By increasing collaboration among philanthropists, corporations, those impacted by cancer, and the public, Curebound is focused on fostering community unity and a spirit of collaboration to accelerate cancer research into cures.
The Curebound Cancer Challenge features three world-class 25 to 75-mile bike routes along San Diego’s Torrey Pines coastline, a family friendly 5K, a new 10K run, 50-minute spin classes, entertainment, family activities and a team village where fundraising teams can gather and celebrate their fundraising efforts. This year, Challenge team signups are outpacing last year’s with 130+ stepping forward to fundraise and support the most innovative cancer studies today.
The Challenge is part of Curebound’s ultimate goal of investing $100 million across early-stage cancer studies anchored in San Diego, with the potential to spread nationally through scientific collaborations. Every dollar donated will help fund pioneering cancer research among San Diego’s top scientists and institutions including UC San Diego, Salk Institute, Sanford-Burnham Prebys, La Jolla Institute of Immunology and Scripps Research.
Curebound CEO Anne Marbarger says, “Curebound has received a record number of research grant funding applications this year – due in large part to the current and potential federal agency cuts. With these cuts, many cancer studies will be reduced or eliminated, setting us back as we work to accelerate cures for cancer. The stakes are high. Now more than ever, we need to raise more and fund more. People with cancer can’t afford to wait for federal budgets, court orders or maybes.”
Victor Manzanilla, Edward Jones Financial Advisor and Cancer Challenge Team Captain, says, “So many on our Edward Jones team have been affected by this disease. We are committed to doing what we can to lead in the fight against cancer – and that starts here at home in San Diego. We invite our fellow business leaders and their teams to join us on August 2 at UC San Diego and be part of this incredible effort to fund cutting-edge cancer research.”
Curebound Cancer Challenge is attracting corporate and institutional support from Edward Jones San Diego, UC San Diego, Janux Therapeutics, Vividion Therapeutics, JP Morgan, Lusardi Construction, Pfizer, Resmed, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BD, CBRE, Dexcom, Illumina, Genentech, Ranch & Coast, San Diego Self Storage, Koman Family Foundation, Maravai Life Sciences, WE O’Neil Construction, and Bernstein Private Wealth Management.
Health Technology Insights: Datavant to Acquire Ontellus, Boosting Medical Record Retrieval and Claims Intelligence
To participate in our interviews, please write to our HealthTech Media Room at sudipto@intentamplify.com
Source – PR Newswire
