The Lobo Cancer Challenge will open registration for its eighth year starting May 6.
The event has grown from a cycling-only focus with roughly 170 participants — called Challengers — in its first year to a large community happening with more than 1,000 Challengers who got moving in a variety of ways last year.
In addition to the 25- and 50-mile bike rides, Challengers can now run or walk in a 5K or climb every stair in University Stadium. Children 10 and under can take part in the Kids Fun Run.
The evolution of the event has brought together people from all walks of life and from more than 20 states. The community effort supports cancer research, patients, outreach and education and training at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only cancer center in the state to hold Comprehensive designation from the National Cancer Institute.
“Our sponsors and our Challengers are a part of our team,” said UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center CEO and Director Yolanda Sanchez, PhD. “Their hard work and support of the UNM Cancer Center plays a vital role in the discoveries that take place here and the quality of care we provide all New Mexicans.”
The event takes place Sept. 28 at University Stadium.
Last year, more than 1,300 Challengers and 76 sponsors raised just over $550,000. Since its inception, the Lobo Cancer Challenge has raised more than $2 million.
“We are immensely appreciative of all of the people over the last seven years who have made this event a success,” said Event Director Amy Liotta. “Their participation is reflective not only of the generosity of our community but also the widespread impact cancer has on each of us.”
The events for 2024 will continue to be the 25- and 50-mile bike ride, the 5k run/walk, the Kids Fun Run and the Stair Challenge.
Thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors, every dollar raised by participants will go directly to the UNM Cancer Center fund of their choice.
People who sign up between May 6 and 13 will receive a 10% discount on registration fees.
For more information on the Lobo Cancer Challenge, including how to sign up, go to www.lobocancerchallenge.org
2024 Lobo Cancer Challenge
The 2024 Lobo Cancer Challenge Registration Opens May 6!
The event will be Sept. 28 at University Stadium.
UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius.
Its more than 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico’s cancer patients from all across the state and partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. They treated almost 15,000 patients in more than 100,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital.
A total of nearly 1,855 patients participated in cancer clinical trials testing new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing.
The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNMCCC were awarded $38.2 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, they have published nearly 1000 manuscripts, and promoting economic development, they filed 136 new patents and launched 10 new biotechnology start-up companies.
Finally, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 500 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.