Paceline and MCG Foundation advancing innovative cancer research

The Medical College of Georgia Foundation and its affiliate nonprofit organization, Paceline, now in its seventh year, continue to make tangible progress in the fight against cancer, benefiting Georgia and beyond.

Since 2019, 26 community-funded innovative cancer research projects at the Georgia Cancer Center have been made possible through Paceline grants, with an emphasis on both early-career faculty and high-impact community research projects. This pipeline of innovative cancer research has already generated $9.2 million in prestigious grants from the National Institutes of Health, bringing significant investment to Georgia’s only public cancer center, part of Augusta University and WellStar MCG Health. In addition, the NIH estimates this investment will generate over $24 million of economic impact for the Central Savannah River Area.

“We have a dedicated team of passionate, innovative and talented researchers at the Medical College of Georgia and the Georgia Cancer Center that are conducting cutting-edge research, which relies heavily on the support of our donors and community,” said AU President Russell T. Keen. “We are proud of the ongoing efforts of Paceline in raising funds to sustain this vital research. Although PaceDay could not take place last year, we are thrilled about its return in 2025. We are aiming to engage more community members in supporting our fundraising efforts for the important work happening right here in Augusta. We have all been touched in some way by cancer, but I believe, together, we can and will win the fight against this terrible disease.”

This year Paceline is expanding its signature fundraising event, PaceDay, to make supporting cancer research more accessible for all. For the first time, PaceDay, scheduled for Oct. 5, 2025, will feature a walk, run and ride option for participants, enabling a broader public engagement of its mission to end cancer. Walkers, runners and cyclists will all come together for a Finish Line Festival at the Augusta Common, celebrating fundraising efforts as the “community face” of the Georgia Cancer Center.

“By expanding our main event format into walk, run and ride, we have an opportunity to accelerate support from both existing and new audiences in Augusta and beyond, including corporate teams and our partner institution Augusta University,” said Martyn Jones, president of Paceline. “The event operations required to deliver this new format are substantial and made possible thanks to our founding partners, Medical College of Georgia Foundation. It is their support that enables 100% of all participant-raised funds to be invested in innovative cancer research at the Georgia Cancer Center.”

Since 2019, Paceline has raised almost $1.7 million for innovative cancer research and is on the road to $2 million this year. With Hurricane Helene canceling PaceDay 2024, Paceline used the time to survey its supporters with a goal of making 2025 a true comeback year. Feedback was strongly in favor of broadening participation options as a means of continuing to build on Paceline’s success to date.

“We are proud to invest in Paceline with its mission to end cancer,” said Ian Mercier, CEO of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation. “The way Paceline carries out this mission is twofold. First, it generates investment for grassroots cancer research through its own community of participants, partners and volunteers. Through actively participating in Paceline’s year-round movement, this broad community of individuals, organizations and corporate teams collectively represents the community face of the Georgia Cancer Center. It is the combination of community-funded research leading to NIH grants, through annual activities like PaceDay, that positively affect the Georgia Cancer Center’s pathway to National Cancer Institute designation.”

The mission of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the people of Georgia, the nation and the world by supporting the advancement of education, research and patient care at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Paceline is a movement of communities & organizations setting the pace to end cancer. Paceline has a place for everyone, offering opportunities to be involved. Walk>Run>Ride for cancer research! Join our movement because together, we set the pace to end cancer.