Bench to Beat Cancer is a fundraiser hosted by Duke Sports Performance/Duke Olympic Sports Performance at Duke University, in partnership with Duke Cancer Institute's Supportive Care & Survivorship Center, to help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with a cancer diagnosis. Some of these barriers to cancer care include the cost of transportation, utility bills, and housing/lodging. While the doctors work on the physical issues, we want to help ease the financial and emotional stressors that occur as a result of a cancer diagnosis.
How Does it Work? Duke University student-athletes, coaches, and affiliated staff find sponsors to pledge donations based on the number of bench press reps performed within one minute. Each will choose a weight to bench press from the following categories: 45, 65, 135, or 185 pounds. On Sunday, April 6, coaches and staff (from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM) followed by student- athletes (10 AM to Noon) hit the gym to make good on the pledged donations.
Where Does the Money Raised Go? After the event is completed, 100% of the money raised will be donated directly to the Duke Cancer Institute Oncology Patient Assistance Fund. The fund is administered through the Supportive Care & Survivorship Center whose staff not only help patients in their moment of need but also assess their financial landscape to make sure there's a long-term plan that addresses the financial burden of cancer.
The 2024 Bench to Beat Cancer event raised $41,317, which resulted in breaking down barriers to receiving cancer care for 187 patients. Through the support of donors like you, we hope to help even more this year.
