To help raise money to fund cancer research in St. Louis, Bryce Bunton, business teacher, and members of his marketing classes created a biking team called the Pedaling Pioneers. The team will participate in an annual bike race Oct. 6-7 sponsored by Pedal the Cause, an organization that provides money for cancer research.
“This is for any average person who wants to ride a bike and support a friend or family member with cancer,” Bunton said.
Founded in 2009, Pedal the Cause is devoted to organizing a community-wide cycling fundraising challenge in which all donations raised will stay in St. Louis to provide direct funding for cancer research, cancer discovery grants and clinical translational care not currently eligible for federal funds. In 2010, Pedal the Cause raised $1.3 million to donate to cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
According to Bunton, this is the Pedaling Pioneers’ first year participating in the Pedal the Cause bike race, and anyone in the community is welcome to join the team.
“The team is open to students, staff, friends, family and parents,” Bunton said. “It is for anyone who wants to be a part of the cause.”
To sign up for the team or make a donation, students and community members can visit the Pedaling Pioneers page on the Pedal the Cause website. After registering for the team, students must raise at least $100 to join the Pedaling Pioneers for the race. Non-students must raise $250 to participate in the 15 and 25 mile ride and $500 for the 50 and 75 mile ride.
Before race day, Bunton hopes to gather at least 100 people to ride on the Pedaling Pioneers, and he also aspires to accumulate $10,000 to support the cause. So far, the team has raised $300.
“This experience will be very humbling and eye-opening,” Bunton said. “Sometimes we just live in our little KHS bubble, but this event really helps you realize how many people are affected by cancer.”