Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma
Bridging Hope, Fueling Research: Together Against Sarcoma
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma (PCS) is a 100% volunteer led non-profit corporation dedicated to raising awareness and funding life-saving research for sarcoma in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. Our goal is to provide resources and support to local sarcoma researchers, enabling them to conduct groundbreaking studies to advance the field.
catalysts for change
PCS generates funding for life saving research through a combination of yearly hosted events and supporter donations. Our biggest event is our annual 5k run/walk held every June at Pittsburgh’s beautiful North Park. This event alone has generated over $2 million in research funding over the last decade.
What is Sarcoma?
Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that originates in the connective tissues of the body, which includes muscles, bones, cartilage, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and other supportive tissues.
Sarcomas can occur in people of all ages, but they are generally more common in children and young adults. There are more than 70 identified types of sarcomas.
Less than 15,000 people are diagnosed with sarcoma each year making it one of the rarest types of cancer, and approximately 6000 people lose their battle each year.
There are only a few effective treatments for sarcoma with surgery yielding the best results. Radiation and chemotherapy are used, but their effectiveness is controversial.
Clinical trials are promising, but they take funding and research. Funding and research require people, planning, and events. Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma is helping to lead the way in the fight against this terrible disease.
Like all great superheros, we have an origin story
January, 2011 - Drs. Hussein Tawbi and Kurt Weiss collaborated with 12 patients and caregivers to create the Pittsburgh chapter of the Sarcoma Foundation of America. The mission was simple: enhance awareness and raise research funds for sarcoma.
2011 - 2019 - The group gradually expanded, funding ten $50,000 grants through the Sarcoma Foundation of America while equally supporting the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center with the remaining proceeds.
October, 2019 - Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma (PCS) was officially born after securing an official 501c3 designation. The transition to a 501c3 enabled PCS to raise more funds, secure corporate sponsors, and better support local sarcoma researchers.
October, 2019 - Present Day - PCS has collectively gifted over $600,000 in sarcoma research grants to regional institutions including the Musculoskeletal Oncology Lab in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Children’s Hospital, Magee Women’s Hospital, West Virginia University, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.
As of today, PCS has officially granted more than $2,000,000 for sarcoma research, and we can proudly claim that we are the first 100% volunteer led organization to do so!
Looking to the future - PCS has acquired dozens of sponsors, and momentum in funding and research is building. Sarcoma's rarity means the most critical issue in research progression is a lack of available samples for study.
Here in Pittsburgh, PCS is proud to support the solution: the Musculoskeletal Oncology Tumor Registry and Tissue Bank (MOTOR). MOTOR is a leader in collections of sarcoma samples containing the primary tumor, metastatic tumor, and blood. Supporting research in the Pittsburgh area and across the country, MOTOR is a unique and valuable resource, and very few other institutions can match the extent of this collection.
How we raise our funds
PCS hosted events
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma hosts exclusive events each year including our annual 5k run/walk, beer tastings, and several others. The race has been held each year since 2010 and has raised over $2 million towards sarcoma research.
Supporter sponsored events
Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma has been blessed to have so much support by survivors, caregivers, and friends. Supporter organized events such as car cruises, fashion shows, and comedy nights have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars towards sarcoma research
Donations
From corporate sponsors to selfless supporters, each year a large portion of our research funding comes from donations. Your generosity has helped fund dozens of grants used for sarcoma research.
Get involved!
PCS is growing every year, which is wonderful thing! But that growth requires people and their time.
PCS is 100% a volunteer organization full of selfless humans working hard to make an impact. If you’ve been affected directly or indirectly by sarcoma, or just want to join the fight, we welcome you into our PCS family with open arms.
The Race
Our biggest event of the year! A 5k run/walk held at Pittsburgh’s beautiful North Park that has generated several million dollars towards sarcoma research since it’s inception in 2010.
need a research grant?
Do you have a sarcoma related research project that needs funding? Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma has granted over $600,000 to be used sarcoma research. Grants range from $5,000 - $35,000 and nonregional researchers may apply only if they are collaborating with a local researcher. Click below to apply.
Our Sponsors
Contact us
Volunteer information. Committee signups. Event coordination.