Around the Earth and back: Obliteride unites thousands to rack up miles, raise $9M to cure cancer faster

On Saturday, August 10, more people than ever before experienced cheers, sun and community as they joined up in Seattle and virtually for Obliteride, Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s annual bike ride, 5K walk/run and fundraiser. Together, they biked, ran and walked more than 98,000 miles — the distance it would take to circle the Earth almost four times! — to help cure cancer faster. 

Now, Obliteride has announced a record-breaking 2024 season fundraising total of $9 million, bringing the event’s cumulative fundraising total to more than $58 million since 2013. Every participant-raised dollar goes directly to work at Fred Hutch, fueling world-changing research and groundbreaking advances in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and cures. 

Obliteride’s impact

Philanthropic support from Obliteriders and other generous donors provides crucial funding for transformative discovery at Fred Hutch. 

“This passionate community has a profound impact,” said Kelly O’Brien, vice president of philanthropy. “We are honored by their partnership and dedication. Obliteride support helps us accelerate the pace and scale of research, hire and retain leading scientists and continue to shorten the distance from laboratory to clinic.”

O’Brien emphasized that Obliteride fundraising also supports early-stage research, potentially unlocking millions in federal and foundation funding once projects are off the ground.

Many Obliteride participants share a personal commitment to helping Fred Hutch speed the pace and scale of research. Obliteride offers them the opportunity to fundraise for an area of work at Fred Hutch that is the most meaningful to them, including a specific disease area, program, researcher or clinician. Funds raised by Obliteride’s 2024 season will fuel research for 27 disease areas, 86 faculty members and 25 programs and specialty areas at Fred Hutch. 

Bike rider Alan Schulkin and his team, Equipe Rouge, chose to fundraise for Fred Hutch’s general fund for top research and care priorities.

“Curing cancer is personal to me, having survived three cancers [testicular cancer, leukemia and bladder cancer] over the last 24 years,” said Schulkin, who is a 12-year participant. “I want everyone to have the chances I've had to benefit from the cutting-edge research taking place at Fred Hutch.” 

To learn more about Obliteride’s powerful impact and community, explore the Obliteride 2024 Annual Report.

A powerful and personal event

Obliteride unites thousands of people who, like Schulkin, have or have had cancer, along with friends and family members, Fred Hutch clinicians and staff and all those passionate about cures. 

Second-year rider Martha Lane fundraised for Fred Hutch’s lung cancer research.

“It has been a bit of a wild ride, as my treatment for stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer is ongoing,” said Lane, who was also a top 2024 fundraiser. She described her 25-mile route at Obliteride as a different “wild ride” — one she completed on her beloved bicycle, “Hope.” 

Jonathan G. Sham, MD, MBEE, a surgical oncologist at Fred Hutch and UW Medicine, shared remarks with the crowd at the 5K walk/run starting line. He emphasized that Obliteriders are partners in the work of scientific innovation.

“Over the past 10 years, we’ve made huge advances,” he said. “But those advances didn’t happen on their own. They took grit, dedication and action. That is what we’re doing together: taking action.”

Dr. Sham completed the walk/run with his team, which included friends, family and several of his patients.

Obliteride welcomes new leader

In October, Obliteride welcomed Tracy Evans as senior executive director. Using her deep experience in peer-to-peer and athletic fundraising events, Evans will build on Obliteride’s momentum to expand the event.

Evans rode the 50-mile bike route at Obliteride 2024. “The energy of the weekend was amazing, as our participants supported one another and raised funds to help obliterate cancer,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience to be with this energized and powerful community!” 

Evans said that preparations are already underway for Obliteride’s 2025 season.

“Together, this outstanding community is taking action to fund world-changing research, help Fred Hutch advance transformative discoveries and improve cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care,” said Evans. “We invite everyone to join us next August as we reach even higher to help cure cancer faster!”