Partners in Progress

The 2025 Burger Bash delivered by ClusterTruck, held at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the week leading up to the 109th running of the Indy500, raised more than $30,000 to support cancer research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.  This annual event is co-hosted by Curt Cavin, an IndyStar reporter, and Kevin Lee, a FOX Sports  pit reporter for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the play-by-play voice for INDY NXT by Firestone. Burger Bash brings together racing fans, researchers and a community united by one goal—fueling the science that will lead to a future without cancer. 

Tessa Wrightson and her brother, Drew had the idea of creating a crowdfunding effort for the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund to honor their mom’s fight against multiple myeloma. Their crowdfunding campaign ran while Tessa trained for her half-marathon and Drew competed in his golf season at Baylor University in the spring. With the support of their family and friends, Tessa’s and Drew’s efforts raised more than $5,500 for multiple myeloma research.

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center was once again honored to receive a generous gift for cancer research from the Curtain Call Dance Center, Dance Against Cancer event. Held in April, this inspiring event raised more than $35,000 to support research through our Global Oncology program.

In May, Jim Dodson and the Sycamore Foundation generously invited the cancer center to participate in their annual event, Walking for Dreams. Three teams represented the cancer center and raised funds for their respective missions: End Lung Cancer Now, the MOVE Program and a general cancer center team.

During this year’s Gretchen’s Country Cruise, more than $10,000 was raised to support triple-negative breast cancer research at IU. The annual cruise held in memory of Gretchen Delay, winds through northern Rush County and southern Henry County—celebrating one of Gretchen’s favorite pastimes of going on tractor rides with her husband, Roy.

The 8th Annual Jeanne and Martha Fore A Cure golf outing was held in August in honor of Jake Peacock's and Steven Sullivan's mothers' cancer journeys. The 2025 outing and a partnership with the Dormie Network's Collier Classic this fall raised more than $200,000.

Held in August at Woodland Country Club, Woodland Fore A Cure benefits 100 Voices of Hope. This year’s outing welcomed 125 women for a ladies 9-hole scramble and additional guests for a post-golf luncheon. This year's event raised more than $20,000, bringing the event’s lifetime total to nearly $120,000.

Hosted by Miller’s Health Systems, the 26th Annual Miller’s Charity Classic golf outing was held in September. Since the start of the classic, Miller’s has raised more than $350,000 to advance cancer research at IU.

Presidential Exteriors launched the Prezi Fight Strong campaign to raise awareness and donations in the fight against cancer—a battle that has personally impacted their company when their CEO, Christopher Edwards, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020. To date, nearly $120,000 has been raised to directly support expenses incurred by Indiana University School of Medicine, helping advance critical research efforts in the fight against cancer.

Inspired by Ralph Hartnagel, father of founder Michael Hartnagel, “Metastatic Mission” supports individuals and families affected by cancer by donating to cancer research and education, funding care packages for patients, and organizing community-based fundraising events like the "Run Across Indiana". In 2023, just days after Ralph’s passing from prostate cancer, Michael ran 155 miles across Indiana in just three days to carry on his dad’s legacy to “Stay Positive” and support IU cancer research. In 2025, IU was the host site of the premier of the documentary “Stay Positive,” chronicling Michael’s spectacular effort.

Through the month of October, Hoagies and Hops donates 100% of Nan’s Red Skin Potato Salad sales to support multiple myeloma research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. This year marked the ninth year that Hoagies and Hops have honored Nan’s memory by helping others who have been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma through their October potato salad sales.

Greg and Jan Tamer continue to champion groundbreaking research through their dedicated fundraising for multiple myeloma research. Since launching their annual fall effort in 2016, The Multiple Myeloma Mission, they have raised more than $40,000 to advance myeloma research at IU.

Held annually throughout the month of October, Springfield Plastics Inc. reaches out to customers, vendors, business partners and the communities they serve to raise money for cancer research and prevention through their fundraiser, Drain for the Cure. In the first year as a beneficiary, a total of $29,000 was raised to fuel cancer research at IU.