A Future Without Cancer, Built by Bikes

That belief is what powers Audaxity, a growing community effort that connects riders, volunteers, researchers, patients, and supporters around a shared goal: moving cancer research forward at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center.

In the first year, more than 1,000 people showed up in their own way and, together, raised $1,062,344 for cancer research at MCW. What began as a ride quickly found its rhythm and scale. That momentum is now being carried into the work itself. It’s fueling collaboration between researchers and clinicians, strengthening the pipeline of scientists who will shape future discoveries, and expanding access to clinical trials and new resources for communities across Wisconsin.

That momentum is built person by person, each with a different story but all moving in the same direction.

For rider Brian Colon, it’s a life measured in miles. What started as a way to get to work has grown into more than 93,000 miles on two wheels, riding through Milwaukee in every season, building connections along the way, and seeing the city at a human pace. When he joined Audaxity, those miles took on new meaning, becoming a way to honor two friends he lost to cancer and to contribute to something larger than himself.

“I ride for my friends, and I ride for anyone suffering from cancer,” Colon said. “Could you imagine if the cure for cancer were discovered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?”

For volunteer Dave Rabiega, the path looks different but leads to the same place. After losing both of his parents to cancer and facing his own diagnosis, he understands how much research shapes outcomes, and he chose to show up by helping bring the ride itself to life. From early morning setup to cheering riders across the finish line, his experience was shaped as much by the people as the purpose, reinforcing that what happens around the ride can be just as powerful as the miles themselves.

“I know what cancer research means to people’s lives,” Rabiega said. “And I know it takes more than scientists in a lab to make it successful.”

Virtual rider Connie Kittleson’s experience unfolded on a quieter stretch of road, riding six miles on her own after completing breast cancer treatment, but with a clear sense of connection. She chose to ride in memory of a close friend, and even on her own, she felt part of a shared effort moving in the same direction.

“Even though I was physically by myself, I felt like I was part of a community…working toward the same goal,” Kittleson said.

Inside the Cancer Center’s labs, that collective effort is already changing the pace of discovery.

For MCW cancer researcher Dr. Stu Wong, Audaxity is strengthening how progress happens and how quickly it reaches patients. As leader of the Cancer Center’s new Clinical Research Fellowship Program, he sees that impact in the next generation of physician-scientists entering the field. The ride-funded program provides protected time for research, structured mentorship, and direct involvement in clinical trials, enabling early-career doctors to care for patients while advancing new approaches to treatment.

“There’s a type of trainee this program helps us attract: people who want to care for patients and help push discovery forward at the same time,” said Dr. Wong. “That didn’t really exist here in a structured way before. Now, thanks to people who believed in what Audaxity could do, it does.”

All of these experiences reflect what Audaxity is becoming—not just an event, but a system of support that connects community action directly to scientific progress.

That’s what makes it work.

There is no single way to be part of it. You can ride a 100-mile Century, volunteer at a rest stop, log miles on your own, or show up to support someone you care about. What matters is showing up, because cancer has touched all of us, and changing what comes next will take all of us.

On August 2, 2026 Audaxity returns to American Family Field with more riders, more energy, and more at stake. Together, we are building momentum where every mile pushes us closer to the day we can say cancer ends here.

Join the movement at Audaxity.org.