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The Palmetto Peloton Project, or P3, exists to promote the advancement of cancer
research and advocacy locally, regionally, and nationally through cycling events.
The president and organizer, Kevin Dunn, began fundraising through cycling after
he and other friends lost loved ones to cancer. Since the inception of P3 in 2005,
the volunteer-led group has raised more than $330,000 to benefit Greenville Hospital
System (GHS) Oncology Research Institute Clinical Research Unit, as well as the
Lance Armstrong Foundation.
“P3 was started as a way for the cycling community to give back something tangible
to the Upstate. Cancer was chosen because it seemed to impact everyone; all of
us had a cancer story,” says Dunn, an insurance agent who lives with his wife
Sally in Greenville.
Fundraising and rides take place in the Upstate and across the country. In 2008,
P3 added an annual relay from Greenville to Austin, Texas, to their schedule,
which already included the Stars and Stripes Challenge Ride (August 28th) and
smaller rides across the Upstate. Riders and support staff commit to raising a
specified minimum amount to participate in these events.
P3 volunteer and Greenville Hospital System employee Lisa Barwick shares why
she participates:
“I think about these individuals, millions impacted by a cancer diagnosis, losing
their ability to do what they love to do – temporarily or permanently, physically
or emotionally. I became involved with P3 because through my cycling hobby, something
I love to do, I can change the future for cancer patients and survivors. My volunteer
efforts are really minor compared to what they go through.”
Dunn hopes that the advancement of treatment and care would have an impact by
making cancer less debilitating; thus, P3 funds cancer research, advocacy through
the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and oncology rehabilitation. In 2008 alone, P3
raised more than $175,000, with $105,000 shared by the Oncology Research Institute,
Cancer Research Unit, and other vital programs at GHS.
Get Involved
To learn more about the Palmetto Peloton Project or to make a donation, visit http://www.p3ride.org. |
