More than 500 cyclists took to downtown Augusta’s roadways at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, to participate in PaceDay 2023 to raise money to fund cancer research.
Through the annual cycling event, Paceline, an Augusta-based nonprofit with the mission of bringing communities and organizations together to cure cancer faster, encouraged participants to complete a 25, 50 or 70-mile route that passed the Georgia Cancer Center.
Since its inauguration in 2019, Paceline has raised over $1.25 million which has funded more than 20 cancer research projects at Georgia Cancer Cancer, who receives 100% of the profits raised.
In support of the nonprofit’s efforts, several teams, researchers and staff of the cancer center were seen cycling throughout the event, including Dr. Jorge C. Cortes, director of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia.
“It feels great to see all the people cheering,” he said.
After biking a long 50 miles, Cortes said he was touched at how supportive the community and city have been in propelling Paceline’s mission over the years.
“It’s really very moving to see how much they care about the cancer center, and it gives us a greater sense of obligation in making the center the best it can be for the community it serves,” he said.
Likely to be announced in August of 2024, Cortes said he is also looking forward to seeing what “fantastic group of researchers” will benefit from this year’s fundraised dollars based on previous successful projects the center and Paceline has been able to jumpstart.
“We’ve already had one project that was so successful from their results with Paceline funded research they’ve received an additional grant for $2.3 million,” said Dag Grantham, founder of Paceline. “Today is about the teams. It’s about coming together as a community.”
Starting at the Augusta Commons, located at 836 Reynolds St., riders were congratulated at the finishing line with a celebration involving food, music, merchandise and upbeat music.
Wanting to involve those who are not able to commit to at least 25 miles of cycling, PaceDay also features a 1-mile, family-friendly loop known as the Cyber City Circuit. This year’s CCC route had over 100 participants, including several children and older adults.
Those not able to cycle, could be seen volunteering and cheering for riders with pompoms, bells and whistles. With over 300 volunteers, organizers said the event was a prime example of community partnership and cooperation to achieve a common goal.
For fellow Paceline official and project lead, Cayla Long, she enjoys the biking fundraiser because it gives many locals within the CSRA a chance to connect on shared cancer accounts of loss and survival.
“I love hearing people’s stories and their reasons for why they participate,” she said. “It’s a really special opportunity that they let us into their lives to know what their motivation is for partnering with Paceline.”
After the first several groups of riders returned from their varying routes, Malcolm Bevel, researcher and associate professor with the Georgia Cancer Center and Augusta University, said he has participated in the cycling event for two years and has now become a co-captain of Team Bicyclist Against Disparity (Team B.A.D).
Bevel said staying involved has allowed him to not only meet many great people within Augusta, but has also encouraged him to even consider increasing his current 25-mile route to 50 next year.
“I was a Paceline grant recipient last year and so I decided to come back out,” he said. “It’s a blessing to do this … I forget how many people take this very seriously.”
Inspired by the loss of aunt, Bevel said curing cancer should be a community wide goal, because it affects an enormous number of lives.
“It’s really near and dear to my heart to try and combat this disease,” he said. “It isn’t just the patients themselves who are affected by cancer – it’s the families, it’s the friends and the co-workers. Everybody is affected by cancer one way or another, and that’s why we do what we do.”
With over $260,000 donated, Paceline is aiming to raise $500,000 this year to fund even more cancer research projects.
To donate and show support or find out more about Paceline, please visit: https://paceline.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=510
Bevel said, “keep donating, keep showing your support and we’re truly appreciative.”
