FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2025
Contact: Eileen Teves, 210-450-7239
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Cyclists of all levels from across the country will gather in Floresville, Texas for the fourth annual Gear Up Against Kids Cancer, a bike ride created to bring community awareness to the more than 15,000 children in the United States annually diagnosed with cancer.
The bike ride raises much-needed funds to help researchers develop more effective, less toxic treatments for childhood cancer.
All proceeds from the event stays local and directly supports Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, which is part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), and its mission to translate today’s research discoveries into tomorrow’s treatments.
Cyclists will ride one of three routes through scenic Wilson County, traveling for 28 miles, 40 miles or 60 miles.
WHEN: Saturday, May 3, 8:00 a.m.
Check-in for cyclists, plus last-minute packets and registration will take place at 6:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony and remarks start at 7:45 a.m.
Cyclists for the 60-mile route will begin their ride at 8:00 a.m., then the 40-mile route follows at 8:15 a.m. The 28-mile route starts at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: The location of the bike ride’s start and finish line is Floresville Event Center, 600 SH 97 W, Floresville, TX 78114
WHO: More than 400 cyclists expected to attend.
Interviews available prior to and during the event:
Gregory J. Aune, MD, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics with tenure, Greehey Distinguished University Chair for Cancer Survivorship in Children
NOTES: Gear Up Against Kids Cancer’s inaugural ride in 2022 had more than 200 riders. In 2024, there were more than 400 riders who participated in the annual bike ride.
Multiple rest stops will be strategically placed along the routes. Each stop will offer hydration and feature a bike shop for minor mechanical assistance, such as flat repairs, brakes or gear adjustments.
Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute is one of only two institutes in the United States dedicated solely to pediatric cancer research. Its 20 laboratories focus their strengths on cancer genomics, DNA repair, RNA biology and drug development in finding more effective and less toxic treatments for childhood cancers.
Since 2004, Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute has been home to groundbreaking research. Its mission is to advance scientific knowledge relevant to childhood cancer, contribute to understanding its causes and accelerate the translation of knowledge into novel therapies. Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute strives to have a national and global impact on childhood cancer by discovering, developing and disseminating new scientific knowledge. Their mission consists of three key areas – research, clinical and education.
The ride is held in conjunction with the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.
To learn more about Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, visit KidsCancerCure.org.
For more information about Gear Up Against Kids Cancer bike ride, including registration and routes, visit GearUpAgainstKidsCancer.org.
For on-site contact: Brian Phillips, Program Coordinator-Senior, 210-450-8271 or phillipsb@uthscsa.edu.
Stay connected with Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.