Powerful purpose: Fred Hutch Obliteride raises $9.2M for cancer research

What makes Obliteride, Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s annual bike ride, 5K walk/run and fundraiser, so amazing? For the thousands of participants who joined this season, it begins with a personal commitment to scientific discovery and a collective goal to cure cancer faster.

Obliteriders fuel scientific discovery

Obliteride’s momentum reflects the dedication of participants, the passion of their donors, and the commitment of event sponsors, said Obliteride Senior Executive Director Tracy Evans. 

“Participants, including our more than 900 incredible volunteers, shared our mission with the world and inspired more than 24,000 donors to take action for trailblazing science,” said Evans. “Obliteride fundraising puts our collective passion to work to improve lives. From helping Fred Hutch advance immunotherapies for more cancers to fueling basic science discoveries that transform our understanding of health and disease, their support is critical.” 

Thomas J. Lynch Jr., MD, Fred Hutch president and director and holder of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair, underscored the importance of Obliteride fundraising. 

“Obliteride fundraising matters,” said Lynch. “Government funding for science is uncertain, and the dollars this community raises are more important than ever. Together, we are accelerating scientific discoveries, translating breakthroughs into treatments and advancing care for the more than 63,000 patients treated at Fred Hutch every year — and for people everywhere.” 

A personal and powerful impact on scientific research

Participants can raise money for the areas of focus at Fred Hutch that are the most meaningful to them. This year, their fundraising and the generosity of their donors will support 28 disease areas, 28 programs and specialties; 92 individual faculty and clinicians; and ongoing innovation through the general fund for cancer research greatest need.

“Obliteride funding is important to the scientists it supports and also to families directly impacted by cancer,” said Obliteride team captain April Suarez, MLS (ASCP), who is a cytogenetics technologist at Fred Hutch. Together with her Go Gene Team, Suarez fundraised for the laboratory of her co-captain Min Fang, MD, PhD, who studies changes in DNA that could lead to cancer. 

Suarez said that the many clinical trials available to patients at Fred Hutch — and the advances they can unlock — start with the kind of early-stage research Obliteride funds. 

“It’s a special thing for patients to have access to trials. And that doesn’t happen if research isn’t funded in the first place,” she said.

Suarez and her team were among the more than 1,000 Fred Hutch and UW Medicine scientists, clinicians and staff who joined the Obliteride community to help cure cancer faster.

“You can tell whole families were there in support of a loved one, whether that loved one was with them or not,” Suarez said. “It was good to feel like part of the community and that everyone is uniting for a common goal.”

‘This one’s for me.’

For 50-mile rider Eric Anderson, Obliteride has a personal meaning. 

“I've long been interested in trying to help in whatever way I could with cancer,” said Anderson, who has participated in other fundraising events to support family and friends. In 2024, Anderson was diagnosed with and treated for colon cancer. “Fred Hutch played such a huge role in getting me back to a good place,” he said. 

During a clinic visit, Anderson saw a sign for Obliteride and decided to sign up. “I thought, ‘This one’s for me,’” he said.

In August, he and his partner, Val, completed their second ride. 

“Last year, I was just a few months into recovery and wasn’t sure I could finish the 25-mile ride,” said Anderson. “That finish felt like a relief. One year later, I’m more fully recovered, so we decided to push ourselves and go for the 50-mile ride. We didn’t worry about whether we could finish because we knew we could. Crossing the finish line this year felt like an achievement.”

“Before each Obliteride, we talk about why we’re doing it,” Anderson said. “For us, it isn’t about competing or going fast. It’s about riding together to represent how we faced my cancer together. We start together and we finish together. That’s what matters most to us.”

Every dollar fuels Fred Hutch’s mission

Obliteride event sponsors and supporters ensure that every dollar participants raise directly fuels groundbreaking discovery at Fred Hutch. Many also inspire their employees and communities by establishing teams of participants and volunteers. 

“I started helping through my company, GLY Construction,” said volunteer Cassie Withrow. “We have been a sponsor for several years, and it’s an amazing way to give back to the community we live and work in.” 

Craighton Goeppele, executive vice president and general counsel of sponsor TerraPower and a captain of Team TerraPower, shared the same sense of community and mission.

"Obliteride was a fun opportunity for TerraPower's employees and supporters to connect on a beautiful Pacific Northwest summer day and do something impactful to advance the great work happening at Fred Hutch," Goeppele said.  

Dozens of dedicated sponsors and supporters like these make Obliteride possible, said Evans. “It is amazing to see our thriving civic, business and philanthropic communities come together to make this event shine.”

Momentum and transformative goals 

Obliteride’s success is part of an exciting year at Fred Hutch. The organization is celebrating both its 50th anniversary and the Campaign for Fred Hutch, which is bringing the Fred Hutch community together to transform the pace and scale of innovation to redefine cancer and infectious disease for generations to come. 

“Every gift makes a difference for world-leading research,” said Kathy Surace-Smith, Obliterider and chair of the committee for the Campaign for Fred Hutch. “Fred Hutch’s pursuit of cures is driven by the same passion that brings so many supporters to this cause.” 

That shared momentum and impact is what makes Obliteride strong, said Evans.

“Obliteriders turn their love into action by fundraising for world-changing research. Now, we have so much more to do. I can’t wait to see all that this extraordinary event and community will achieve next.”