Impact
Lifesaving cancer research
This event is all about funding lifesaving cancer research. In 2021, we had a record-setting 821 participants raise over $550,000, with almost 40% exceeding their fundraising goal.
Our 2020 event was held virtually and included more than 600 participants from 26 states, who collectively cycled, ran, or walked 124,714 miles and raised over $114,000 for cancer research. The inaugural year of LOWVELO in 2019 attracted more than 600 riders and 300 volunteers. Riders brought in almost $700,000 from 5,554 donors.
The funds raised have already been put to good use. Read about Timmy Samec who is a cancer survivor and one of the first researchers to receive funding from LOWVELO.
It’s not just the fundraising that excites us, though. It’s how this event opens up all kinds of opportunities to bond with the community to fight this disease. Many of our participants are survivors or are riding to honor family members who are battling cancer. We get to meet them and hear their inspiring stories. We also get to meet the researchers working diligently behind the scenes to find that next breakthrough to bring to the clinic.
All participant-raised funds go to MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, which is the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and the largest academic-based cancer research program in South Carolina. With more than 120 cancer scientists across 20 different academic departments, Hollings’ mission is to eradicate cancer. Read highlights about the cancer center’s research and clinical trials success stories on the Hollings news site.
2021 By the Numbers
821
participants
$1.3M
total raised
200
volunteers
83
teams
24%
from outside Tri-county area
249 / 572
MUSC / non-MUSC
Making a difference
Cancer Survivor Stories
Prostate cancer survivor prepares for LOWVELO 2021 ride
Doug McCracken is used to giving back – he and his wife help rescue and find homes for dogs in need. Now he’s preparing for his next task – participating in LOWVELO for the first time as a cancer survivor.
A ride to remember: Cancer survivor prepares for LOWVELO 2021
Riding a bike is nothing new for Robert Conley, but he overcame the removal of multiple organs, including part of his stomach, to be ready to ride in LOWVELO21.
Testicular cancer survivor to ride 1,700 miles for LOWVELO
With LOWVELO20 going virtual, cancer survivor and MUSC Hollings Cancer Center LOWVELO graduate fellow Timmy Samec has committed to riding 1,700 miles this year.
Whipple warrior: Patient to ride 50-mile route 10 months post-op
Surgery and chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer could not keep Mary Nell Goolsby from riding in the inaugural LOWVELO. Read about how she focused on the positives of her diagnosis.
This experience helped connect Hollings with people in the communities that we serve. Volunteers really helped to make the event special. Their interactions with other volunteers, particularly those in the medical profession, helped to increase awareness of health issues such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. These interactions will prove invaluable in the future to improve the health of our community.
Dr. John O'Bryan
MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researcher
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