Curebound Challenges San Diego to Help Raise Vital Funding Amid Billions in Federal Grant Cuts that Threaten Cancer Research

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 (NIH) slashed $1.81 billion in federal agency grants in 2025, according to an analysis published in JAMA¹ (NBC News, 2025). 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 budget² (Reuters, 2025).

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.

At Curebound Cancer Challenge (formerly Padres Pedal the Cause), 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.

For more information about how to get involved with the Curebound Cancer Challenge, contact Liz DeGeronimo at liz@curebound.org.

Register for Curebound Cancer Challenge. Early-bird incentives end June 15.

About Curebound

Curebound is a philanthropic organization that invests in cancer research with the power to save lives. Through collaborative grants, corporate partnerships, and strategic investments, Curebound’s aim is to significantly accelerate better prevention, detection, and treatments for cancer. Headquartered in the major U.S. biotech hub of San Diego, amid 3,000+ life sciences companies, leading health systems, and world-class research institutions, Curebound partners with these organizations to forge interdisciplinary collaboration, foster knowledge sharing, and fund pioneering cancer research. So far, Curebound has funded $43+ million in cancer research, awarding 143 study grants for 23 types of pediatric and adult cancers with one vision: cures in our lifetime. Join us - www.curebound.org.

1. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trump-administration-cut-18-billion-nih-grants-rcna205568
2. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/nih-scientists-speak-out-over-estimated-12-billion-trump-funding-cuts-2025-06-09/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250612847269/en/

“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.