SEATTLE — July 14, 2022 — For the first time since 2019, bikers, runners and walkers will come together on Saturday, Aug.13, for Obliteride, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s annual fundraiser and community event.
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary with both a virtual fundraiser and in-person event, Obliteride looks much different from its first year, but the goal remains the same: To obliterate cancer.
“Since 2013, Obliteriders from across the country – and the world! - have raised more than $36 million to cure cancer faster,” said Kelly O’Brien, Fred Hutch’s vice president of philanthropy. “Their incredible support accelerates our groundbreaking research and helps us drive lifesaving discoveries in many research areas, from immunotherapy to studies on brain, breast, lung, ovarian and prostate cancers.”
Over 2,924 participants have registered so far, representing 44 states and 29 countries, with over $2 million raised already.
“When the pandemic hit in 2020, we had to completely reimagine Obliteride. So it’s exciting to be back in person and with our community, which cares so much about curing cancer,” said Jim Birrell, director of Obliteride. “And we’re continuing our new tradition of virtual participation, which has made the event more accessible to more people, expanded our community, and infused creativity into our program.”
Participants are invited to join the in-person Friday Night Party at Gas Works Park on Aug. 12, the night before the ride and run/walk. The event will feature live entertainment (including True Loves), food and a chance to connect both with virtual challenge participants and with those who will be riding and walking/running the next day.
Obliteride starts at 6:30 a.m. with kick-off times based on distance. All rides start and finish at the University of Washington. The bike rides are for ages 18+ and include 25-mile, 50-mile and 100-mile routes, and all ages are welcome to participate in the 5k walk/run.
Sign up to ride, walk, run, participate virtually or volunteer at Obliteride.org. Online registration is open until Aug. 13, but registration cost increases from $35 to $50 on Aug. 12. Onsite registration will be available until one hour before the start of each route.
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Media Contact:
Kat Wynn
206-667-2210
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch) is an independent, nonprofit, unified adult cancer care and research center that is clinically integrated with UW Medicine, a world leader in clinical care, research and learning. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center was created in April 2022 by the merger of long-time partners, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures for the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.
The first National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Pacific Northwest, Fred Hutch’s global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS, immunotherapy and COVID-19 has confirmed our reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and has network affiliations with hospitals in five states.