Inaugural Rush to Crush Cancer bike ride aims to raise money for cancer research

Bicyclists sometimes use the verb ‘crush’ to describe riding particularly well or fast — as in ‘crushing a ride.’

As of Tuesday, many will also use the word to describe stamping out a deadly disease.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is teaming up with P3R, organizers of events like the Pittsburgh Marathon, to host the first-ever Rush to Crush Cancer event, a bike ride with the goal of raising millions for cancer research.

Organizers and supporters including Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, himself a bike riding enthusiast, gathered at Heinz Field’s UPMC Club for the announcement of the inaugural event, set for spring 2023.

It will be broken into three routes ranging from 15 to 60 miles, to accommodate riders of all levels.

There will be a minimum fundraising amount for each rider based on the length of the route they choose to ride. The money raised will go directly to research, organizers say.

“Every dollar raised by participants in this event will go toward an investment in the work that promises to unlock a future without cancer,” said Robert Ferris, director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “We hope the Rush to Crush gets us closer to achieving life without cancer.”

There will also be a walk to honor those impacted by cancer and to celebrate survivors.

Upper St. Clair native Brian Shanahan was one of the survivors in attendance, having battled pancreatic cancer. A former football star at Upper St. Clair High School, Shanahan went on play fullback for the University of Kentucky.

Now a successful businessman, he has already donated $1.5 million to Rush to Crush Cancer and plans to bike at least 15 miles in next year’s inaugural event.

“I have to work my way up after chemo,” said Shanahan, who sees this as a way to give back after the care he received at the Hillman Cancer Center, particularly from Dr. Amer Zureikat, after being diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer.

Shanahan also donated an additional $1.5 million to Hillman to fully fund a two-year clinical trial for pancreatic cancer.

“When I got cancer, I experienced some of the darkest days of my life over a two-year process. I had a 7% chance to live,” he said. “The care I received was so unbelievably phenomenal that I just felt moved.

“It saved my life. I’ve made a lot of money in Pittsburgh, and this is the easiest donation because all of the people who donated before me, saved my life.”

Much of the money from Rush to Crush Cancer will go to specialty trials and research.

“Rush to Crush will allow us to engage others in our mission and provide ways for the community to step up and help us,” said Stanley Marks, chairman of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “This event will benefit and inspire patients, survivors, and everyone whose life has been touched by cancer.”

Jennifer Hawkins, executive director of SportsPITTSBURGH, said she sees the Rush to Crush Cancer event as another “iconic” sports event on the Pittsburgh sports calendar.

“This will have an impact on our families, on our friends, on our neighbors, and on those that travel to our community to get care,” she said. “This event showcases what’s possible when Pittsburghers come together and do something extra special.”

A date for the Rush to Crush Cancer event will be announced later this summer.

For more information about the event go to the Rush to Crush Cancer website.