On Aug. 28, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors heard about the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Challenge Campaign from board member Brian Rule and Dr. Yolanda Sanchez.
Before introducing Sanchez, Rule shared his appreciation and praise for the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. He reflected on his family’s personal experience with the center, expressing his gratitude for the help, guidance, and expertise they provided to his family members and friends.
Sanchez briefed the board on the annual event, now in its ninth year. It will be held on Sept. 20 and is a bike ride, walk, run, stair climbing event where the community comes together to support the cancer center.
Sanchez said the center is urging the community to walk along, run along, and bike along with them, so that they can tell them about the great things that are going on in the cancer center.
She said Lobo Cancer Challenge participants, called “Challengers,” choose the program they wish to support, and 100% of the funds that challengers raise go directly to the program that means the most to them in the fight against cancer.
Each of the 20 programs are critical to the UNM Cancer Center’s ability to bring the best cancer care in the world to New Mexicans.
For example, the Lobo Cancer Challenge provides support for:
- Gas, food and lodging for patients who come from outside the greater Albuquerque area for cancer treatment;
- Pilot programs to scientifically test new ideas for cancer prevention, screening diagnosis and treatment, especially for those cancers that affect New Mexicans the most;
- Community events to bring awareness and information about cancer prevention and screening to all parts of New Mexico; and
- Training and education programs in cancer research for students at all levels, from high school through postdoctoral fellowships and junior faculty.
In 2024, 1,704 Challengers on 83 teams joined 72 sponsors to raise a record-breaking $652,000 to #UniteAgainstCancer in New Mexico.
GACC Chairman Peter Lorenz congratulated the UNM Comprehensive Center on its years of success with the Cancer Challenge Campaign and Dr. Sanchez on her impressive work since arriving at the Center two years ago.