Climb for a Cure

About Climb for a Cure

Every year, relentless champions join Climb for a Cure to connect with and honor fellow survivors and caregivers and remember the loved ones lost to colorectal cancer. Climb for a Cure pushes our community to new heights together while raising vital funds and awareness toward finding a cure.

For many, colorectal cancer is the biggest mountain they will ever face. Each year, our community of relentless climbers comes together to make an impact. We Climb for a Cure to explore new terrain for life-changing research.

Our Climb for a Cure community carries each other, ensuring no one falls; no one is left behind; no one fights alone.

Climb for a Cure 2024 Recap

July 20, 2024 | Gatlinburg, TN

This year’s Climb took us to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where nearly 100 participants joined us for a memorable hiking experience through the scenic Great Smoky Mountains. Climbers also faced a global travel crisis due to the Crowdstrike incident – an added obstacle we did not anticipate – but they faced it relentlessly and found their way to the Smokies!

REI Co-op provided professional guides to take us on three unique trails. From a brisk 5 miles on the Little River trail, to a more rigorous 8-mile trek to Ramsey Cascades, and finally a strenuous 14 miles on the very difficult Mt. LeConte Loop, participants got the challenge they sought! Climbers braved a torrential downpour in the name of colorectal cancer awareness – with smiles on their faces (most of the time, at least!) – and raised $105,000!

Summer 2024 Cure Events

Beyond Fight CRC’s Climb for a Cure, over 500 people supported local Cure events across the country throughout the summer, raising over $60,000!

We launched Host an Event, encouraging our community to get creative with their fundraising events. They did not disappoint us! From handmade bracelets sold at the Houston Pride Festival and a colorectal themed drag show, to a SoulCycle ride and a cornhole tournament, there was a little bit of everything!

• Wendy Harpp’s Climb for a Cure, Lake George, NY: $25,000
• Drag for a Cure, Lees Summit, MO: $4,000
• Momentum Gym’s Climb for a Cure, Lehi, UT: $2,000
• Paula’s Pride for a Cure, Houston, TX: $500
• Harrison Street’s Ride for a Cure, Chicago, IL: $30,000

Together, we raised over $165,000 for colorectal cancer research this summer!

Climb for a Cure Impact

$1 Million Raised to Support Colorectal Cancer Research | Projects Funded: 10

Colorectal Cancer is the No.1 cancer killer for men under 50, and #2 cancer killer for women under 50.

At Fight CRC, we recognize the urgent need for innovative research and support for those affected by colorectal cancer. With more and more young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, showing the impact of the disease on new generations, we are committed to funding research that improves treatment options, outcomes, and quality of life for patients.

Over the last nine years, Climb for a Cure participants and supporters have raised over $1 million! One hundred percent of funds raised through Climb for a Cure support cancer research, grants, and convening leaders to support our Path to a Cure initiative.

Funded Research Projects

Early-age Onset Colorectal Cancer Research: $55,000

Fight CRC granted $55,000 to Dr. Molmenti and Heather Hampel, MS, CGC, for early-age onset colorectal cancer research. Their findings underscored the vital risks and the need for prompt screening in high-risk groups.

2022 CGA-IGC Early-Career Award: $30,000

With CGA-IGC, we awarded Dr. Yen $15,000 for familial CRC communication. His pilot increased endoscopist record updates by 30%, enhancing awareness of familial risks.

Early-age Onset Colorectal Cancer Think Tank: $75,000

Our 2023 initiatives were aimed at transforming the landscape of early-age onset colorectal cancer. Through our Early-age Onset Research Think Tank, we didn’t just build on past efforts, but we set ambitious goals to change the future of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

International Research Symposium: $50,000

Fight CRC invested $50,000 in convening an international research symposium on early-age onset colorectal cancer.

Path to a Cure Initiative: $75,000

We launched our Path to a Cure report – our plan for the future of colorectal cancer. $75,000 was allocated toward bringing together experts for a Think Tank discussion about treatment gaps.

Tempus Fellowship: $450,000

We’ve endowed $150,000 yearly in a three-year Tempus fellowship, focusing on the use of biomarker testing, AI, and genomics to advance colorectal cancer care and critical cancer research.

2023 CGA-IGC Early-Career Award: $30,000

The 2023 CGA-IGC and Fight CRC Early Career Award was granted to Dr. Alessandro Mannucci of the Beckman Research Institute. Dr. Mannucci’s work is dedicated to gastrointestinal cancer, with a focus on hereditary cancer syndromes and early-age onset cancers.

Fight CRC Clinical Trial Finder: $50,000

We’ve provided $50,000 to enhance our clinical trial finder to feature MSS and MSI-High trials, specifically tailored for those battling metastatic colorectal cancer.