A UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences team made up of faculty, staff, students, colleagues from the UCI Medical Center and loved ones joined together on Oct. 8 to participate in the 6th Annual UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge.
The Anti-Cancer Challenge raises awareness and funds for promising research by the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. All of the money raised by this annual event goes to promising pilot studies and early-phase clinical trials.
Claudia Benavente, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and Alexandre Chan, chair and professor of clinical pharmacy practice, have research funded by the money raised from the annual event.
Benavente’s research has the potential to impact human health beyond osteosarcoma, a childhood cancer of the bone. Chan’s research will provide valuable information on the role of integrative health in improving the quality of life of cancer survivors.
This year, the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences team raised $4,170 with 30 participants, exceeding the original goal of $3,500. Team members had the opportunity to participate in a 5K or 10K run/walk, a 14-, 35-, 60-, or 100-Mile ride, or join as a virtual participant.
Since 2017, the event has raised over $2.5 million dollars for cancer research, with Saturday’s event bumping up raised funds to over $3 million.
“Our team made a true commitment to supporting cancer research at UCI,” said Shawn Griffin, health sciences assistant clinical professor and Anti-Cancer Challenge team co-captain. “I am proud of what we accomplished and am already looking forward to building upon this success in years to come.”
Those interested in donating can do so online at the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge website.
Find the SPPS team photos here.