Join Team Jaguar to be part of PaceDay 2025, support Georgia Cancer Center

According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts and Figures 2025 Report, over 66,000 Georgians will be diagnosed with cancer this year. But the Georgia Cancer Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University is on a mission to reduce the burden of cancer in the state and across the globe through superior care, innovation and education.

One aspect of that innovation is fueled by the nearly 50 research faculty dedicated to finding the next breakthrough in how to treat cancer better, prevent it from spreading in the body or prevent it from developing in the first place. And thanks to Augusta-based nonprofit Paceline, donations are turning into grant dollars to find that next discovery faster.

“The work our scientists do in their labs relies on the passion, determination and generosity of each team and individual who takes part in PaceDay every year,” said Jorge C. Cortes, MD, director of the Georgia Cancer Center. “Today’s research projects can serve as a beacon of hope, fueling our determination to unlock the mysteries of this disease. With Paceline, we will make groundbreaking discoveries, which could lead to new treatment options for cancer patients.”

Since its creation in 2018, Paceline participants and donors have raised almost $2 million for cancer research projects. This has led to over $12 million in prestigious follow-up funding from the National Institutes of Health.

While PaceDay 2024 was canceled due to the devastation from Hurricane Helene, donors still helped raise enough money to fund seven research projects. Those Paceline dollars act as a seed grant to help researchers find proof that their project is worthy of follow-up support from major funding agencies like the National Cancer Institute and other agencies inside the National Institutes of Health.

“For the hundreds of thousands of Georgians whose lives have been affected by cancer, we are Paceline,” said Martyn Jones, president of Paceline. “Paceline is a year-round movement of communities and organizations ‘Setting the Pace to End Cancer.’ This movement culminates each year in a casual, fun bike ride, and this year there is a place for everyone because we are also offering a 5K walk-or-run option for the first time.”

To get involved, Augusta University’s leadership is encouraging all faculty and staff to join Team Jaguar. The Cancer Center provides industry-leading cancer research and care benefiting patients locally and globally.

“There is no need to look elsewhere to find world-class doctors, treatments and clinical trials; we have them all right here in Augusta,” Cortes said. “Georgia has a disproportionate number of cancer diagnoses with poor outcomes, but through its dedication to serving minority and underserved populations, the Georgia Cancer Center is a leader in making progress to change this statistic. We are committed to reaching rural populations to ensure world-class cancer screenings and treatment are available to all.”

The research and innovations developed at the Georgia Cancer Center ultimately influence the global network of cancer care. The insights achieved through the care of local patients have wide-reaching implications for creating tomorrow’s standard of cancer care.

To be part of the Paceline movement, consider registering for PaceDay 2025, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5. In addition to the bike ride and 5K run/walk, there will also be stationary bikes with an instructor offering several spin class sessions during the day. Those sessions will take place at the Augusta Common, which serves as the location for the start and finish line for those riding, running or walking.

“It’s been said that ‘Nothing happens until something moves.’ A ball has to start rolling for change to occur or, in our case, turning wheels to set the pace for better treatments, prevention and cures for all types of cancer,” Jones said. “On behalf of the Paceline community, board and staff, we are very proud that our combined efforts from the past 12 months are once again formally invested in innovative cancer research. Paceline maintains its 100% model whereby every single dollar donated is truly being invested as intended. The ongoing support Paceline receives from the MCG Foundation makes this promise possible.”