On Saturday, Aug. 9, a winding sea of neon orange set Seattle aglow, as more than 5,000 cyclists, walkers, runners and virtual participants came together for Obliteride, Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s annual summer ride and 5K walk/run fundraiser. After a week of gray skies, the clouds parted and sunlight spilled across the city’s streets and trails — catching handmade signs, lighting up faces, and illuminating festive moments and quiet rituals alike.
This year’s Obliteriders included more than 1,400 cyclists tackling scenic 25-, 50-, and 100-mile routes, 3,200 walkers and runners filling the 5K course, and 500 more virtual participants, all supported by a network of 900 volunteers. Nearly 20,000 donors have backed 470 teams, together raising more than $7 million to date for cancer detection, prevention, treatment and cures at Fred Hutch. Since 2013, the event has generated more than $65 million, with 100% of participant-raised dollars fueling research breakthroughs. That total will keep climbing as fundraising continues through Sept. 30.
The weekend kicked off with the Friday Night Party at Gas Works Park, where live music, food and stories were shared. Thomas J. Lynch, MD, president and director of Fred Hutch and holder of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair, spoke from the stage. “The special sauce is every person here. It’s every patient, every provider. It’s every family that drove someone to radiation — it's every community member who covered for someone at work so that they could drive a friend or a relative or a loved one to their treatment or appointment,” he said. “[Obliteride] brings us all together to focus and to support each other in this incredible cancer community.”
At the starting line for the 25-mile route on Saturday, lung cancer survivor and cyclist Lacy Fehrenbach rallied the crowd.
“Think of your why, the people you’re riding for, or riding with,” she said. “I know the folks you thought about will be with you on this ride. And they are so proud of you, and grateful. I am grateful too.” Moments later, she clipped in and joined her fellow riders as they surged forward under the summer sun.
Nicole Na is a writer on the Philanthropy team at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. With a foundation in biology and experience in Fred Hutch labs, Nicole began her career in writing at conservation nonprofits before managing scientific publications at the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. These experiences ultimately led her to her current role, where she combines her passions for science and storytelling. Reach her at nna@fredhutch.org.
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Are you interested in reprinting or republishing this story? Be our guest! We want to help connect people with the information they need. We just ask that you link back to the original article, preserve the author’s byline and refrain from making edits that alter the original context. Questions? Email us at communications@fredhutch.org
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