KidneyCAN is proud to share the results of the first annual Rock the Run 5K fundraiser.
KidneyCAN was co-founded by Ralph Knapp, who said, “Raising funds for research, clinical trials, and finding a cure for kidney cancer has become my hope and passion.”
KidneyCAN’s past fundraisers have included two “Rock the Cure” events that raised over $300,000. These events embodied Ralph’s fun and electric personality and were filled with music, friends, and fellowship.
We lost Ralph in March 2022. To honor his memory and continue his quest to save lives, we launched an annual Rock the Run fundraiser to coincide with the Kidney Cancer Research Summit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
People from all over the United States joined us in our efforts to accelerate cures for kidney cancer.
Dr. Bradley McGregor, Clinical Director at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, led the way for our team of walkers and runners in Philadelphia. Dr. McGregor’s team was comprised of ten researchers from all over the country.
Our team in Philadelphia was combined with patients, caregivers, and family members around the country who organized a local event. Ralph’s family joined in Virginia Beach, Virginia, while Alyssa Zadel captained Cures for Ken in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Kelly Hudak, a patient from North Carolina, gathered her friends and family to support her team, Keepin’ It Renal. Kelly made a wonderful video to share her reasons for joining Rock the Run:
We’ll continue with Rock the Run events each fall and hope you’ll join us, either individually or as part of a team, as we build this tradition. If you want to support KidneyCAN but missed Rock the Run this year, you can still donate here, or you can organize a fundraiser your own way.
