Curebound Cancer Challenge Returns to Campus Aug. 1

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• Jade Griffin - [email protected]

Topics covered:

• Philanthropy and Giving

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For Jeff Krebs, MD '86, endurance sports have always been about more than crossing a finish line. The UC San Diego School of Medicine alumnus and president of the Medical Alumni Association is a competitive athlete who has raced Ironman events, triathlons and marathons. Krebs has spent years surrounded by a familiar question in the endurance world - a question that gets athletes through the hardest parts of their challenges: What is your why?

For Krebs, who has practiced for four decades as an internal medicine physician, it is about healing.

"My 'why' should always be consistent with what I believe - helping others, caring for others and advancing top health care," said Krebs.

That sense of purpose has guided Krebs through years of competition and charitable fundraising, including support for organizations that help children and adaptive athletes stay active through sports such as wheelchair basketball and hand cycling. Now, Krebs is focused on cancer research as part of the Curebound Cancer Challenge starting at UC San Diego's RIMAC Field on Aug. 1.

"Every breakthrough in cancer care begins with research," said Diane Simeone, MD, director of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. "The Curebound Cancer Challenge demonstrates the extraordinary impact a community can have when it comes together to advance scientific discovery. Together, we are accelerating research that brings us closer to earlier detection, more effective treatments and better outcomes for patients."

As captain of Tritons for the Cure, Krebs is focused on rallying the UC San Diego team, which includes alumni, faculty, staff and students to come together to ride - or run, walk, spin or cheer from the sidelines - with the goal of raising critical funds for cancer research.

Curebound is a nonprofit organization that raises and invests strategic funding into collaborative cancer research among six local institutions including UC San Diego. The organization hosted the annual Padres Pedal the Cause for over a decade before it transitioned to the Curebound Cancer Challenge. The event has raised more than $32.5 million for cancer research with 20,000 participants.

Curebound was co-founded by Amy and Bill Koman, together with Fernanda and Ralph Whitworth. Bill Koman survived two battles with lymphoma and the family is deeply grateful for the lifesaving care that he received. They are now committed to ensuring the same outcome for others.

"Everyone is affected by cancer," Krebs said. "Whether it is a personal diagnosis, a family member, a friend or someone you know, cancer touches all of us. And as physicians, we are taking care of many patients with a cancer diagnosis. It made sense for me to focus on Curebound."

What makes Curebound stand out to Krebs is the direct connection between the funds raised and the research they support. Thanks to the generosity of donors who underwrite the organization's operating costs, 100% of participant-raised funds go directly to cancer research among San Diego's top scientific institutions, including UC San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital, Salk Institute, Sanford Burnham Prebys, Scripps Research and La Jolla Institute of Immunology.

"Better treatments don't happen on their own," Krebs said. "They require smart researchers who are well-funded to drive these discoveries. And bringing the alumni and campus community together for the Curebound Cancer Challenge galvanizes us as a group behind this incredibly important cause."

"Each year, the Curebound Cancer Challenge reminds us that cancer research is powered not only by scientific discovery, but by community," said Robin Toft, CEO of Curebound. "We are grateful for UC San Diego's continued partnership and participation, and for the many Tritons who ride, run, walk, volunteer and give in support of the researchers working to bring new hope to patients and families."

To participate in the event as part of Tritons for the Cure, visit the Curebound registration page and search for "Tritons for the Cure" to join the team.

This year, Curebound is also offering Triton alumni and students an exclusive discount code for the 5K run/walk, which will wind through the UC San Diego campus. To register for the 5K at a flat rate of $75, select "Enter a code" at the start of registration and use code TRITONS. Then, use the "Join a Team" function to search for and join Tritons for the Cure.

Volunteer opportunities are also available. Please contact Delanie at [email protected] for more information.