On Sept. 29 and 30, when Pedal the Cause kicks off its ninth annual event, more than 160 members of Team Edward Jones will ride for their lives—and the lives of others. Since the event’s inception in 2010, the company has raised more than $2 million of the $19.8 million total proceeds for cancer research, and it’s been the presenting sponsor from the start. “We underwrite the administrative and operational costs of Pedal the Cause so that each rider and participant can solicit support knowing that every dollar raised will go toward research,” explains Edward Jones managing partner Jim Weddle. The firm originally was spurred to participate when it lost its second managing partner and visionary, Ted Jones, to cancer in 1990.
“The spirit of caring and giving back is something Ted taught us and demonstrated his whole life,” remembers Dan Timm, principal of branch development. “It’s important for those of us who have been so blessed to continue to do just that.” Timm is the top individual fundraiser in Pedal the Cause history, bringing in $601,951 so far. He says proceeds from the ride are particularly important because they stay local, funding research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Timm will participate again this year alongside teammate Penny Pennington, who takes over as managing partner at Edward Jones in 2019. Pennington has ridden in Pedal the Cause four times and is herself a cancer survivor. “It’s a wonderful event,” she says. “As a cancer thriver, it’s so gratifying to see the support in our community to lessen, and even eliminate, the terrible impact a cancer diagnosis and treatment have on patients and families. Riding for a cure is a tremendous mission!”
To date, Pedal the Cause has funded 101 innovative research projects that might not have seen the light otherwise. “In this period of diminished federal funding when support typically gets funneled to already-proven concepts, many potential new ideas are not deemed eligible,” explains Eleanor Goedeke, Pedal’s director of marketing and communications. “Pedal the Cause is like the venture capitalist of cancer research. We fund new, innovative ideas that allow researchers at our beneficiaries to establish proof of concept, which is the first step to obtaining a large federal grant and taking an idea to clinical trial and eventually to the clinic.”
To participate in the event, riders register for one of six distances between 10 to 100 miles, pedal a stationary bike, or ride virtually from a computer anywhere. Then, they commit to raising as much money as possible before the Oct. 31 cutoff. Pedal the Cause weekend begins Saturday, Sept. 29, at Chesterfield Amphitheater with fun events for the entire family, including the Ameren Kids Challenge, an enclosed cycle course for children ages 3 to 12, and Taste the Cause, a delicious evening of food from some of St. Louis’ best chefs. Ride Day begins Sunday with a 6:30 a.m. breakfast, and the first wave of riders kicks off at 7 a.m.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people on that starting line,” Timm says. “I truly am humbled by all of those who have joined our team and others to contribute to the fight against cancer.”
The annual Pedal the Cause cycling event benefits groundbreaking cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. It takes place Sept. 29 and 30 at Chesterfield Ampitheater, with Edward Jones as the presenting sponsor. Pictured on the cover: Chris Koo, Scott Vicars, Penny Pennington, Jim Weddle, Trish Hull, Mark Waight, Dan Timm. For more information or to register, visit pedalthecause.org.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured above: Jim Weddle, Penny Pennington and Dan Timm of presenting sponsor Edward Jones.
