The Award-Winning 5th Annual Tour De Pier Stationary Cycling Fundraiser Sets A New Record By Raising $1.2 Million For Cancer Research

Sports Royalty and NBA Greats Luke Walton and Steve Nash plus Pac-12 Conference Football Coaches Jim Mora (UCLA) and Clay Helton (USC) were Among the VIPs Riding in Place for Cancer Research at the Beachside Charity Event

Credit: Steve Gaffney Photography

Press Release – LOS ANGELES, Calif., – On Sunday, May 21, Los Angeles Lakers alumni, Southern California rival college football coaches and other sports notables joined forces to raise money for three cancer charities at the award-winning 5th Annual Tour de Pier stationary cycling fundraiser held at the Manhattan Beach Pier, one of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks.

United with sports celebrities, the Los Angeles-metropolitan community came out in overwhelming support for the Tour de Pier. With nearly 10,000 in attendance, the prestigious spring outdoor philanthropic event set new fundraising records by surpassing its goal of raising more than $1.28 million for the benefiting charities: the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research; Uncle Kory Foundation and the Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach. This year’s fundraising efforts exceeded last year’s unprecedented $1.1 million mark bringing the accumulated total amount raised to more than $4 million since its inception in 2013.

“Each year, the Tour de Pier grows with exponential support by the community as well as corporate sponsors,” said Lisa Manheim, Co-founder of the Tour de Pier and Executive Director for the Hirshberg Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see that so many people are suiting up to fight for a cancer cure. If this much enthusiasm and determination continues, we are well on our way to finding a cure by funding necessary research as well as developing the latest treatments.”

To help make the fitness fundraiser a huge success, the Tour de Pier invited a few sports and entertainment celebrities to stop by to pedal for a worthy cause: Los Angeles Lakers alums Luke Walton (Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers) and Steve Nash (2x NBA MVP/former Los Angeles Laker); rival college football coaches Clay Helton (Head Coach of USC Football) and Jim Mora (Head Coach of UCLA Football); Deb Carson (Fox Sports News Radio anchor); Chris McGee (Sports Broadcaster, Time Warner Sportsnet); Rob Stone (Host, Fox Sports 1); Tony Cruz (Olympic Cyclist); Adam Krikorian (2x Gold Medal USA Women’s Water Polo Coach); Maggie Steffens and Kiley Neushul (Olympic Gold Medalists, Water Polo) and Dr. Kristi Funk (television personality).

“Having sports royalty at the Tour de Pier certainly heightened awareness of the need for more intense cancer research,” said Heath Gregory, Co-founder of the Tour de Pier and Founder of the Uncle Kory Foundation. “We are honored to have had their presence and support in helping make the Tour de Pier a rising success.”

Nearly 1500 cyclists rode on 350 stationary bikes not only to raise money for cancer research, but to remember those who had lost their battle to cancer as well as to support patients and their loved-ones who had been affected by this disease. The family-fun, charity event hosted a free Health & Fitness Expo, a Cardio Kids Fun Zone with games and activities in addition to live entertainment including the UCLA Spirit Squad, the LA Galaxy Star Squad, the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders and a spectacular choreographed eight-plane flyover by Tiger Squadron. For the first time, the Tour de Pier raffled off a brand new Ford car valued up to $50,000.

The Tour de Pier debuted in May 2013 and was co-founded by Jon Hirshberg, Heath Gregory and Lisa Manheim. Together, they produce the award-winning charitable fundraiser which continues to thrive each year attracting more participation from the community and corporate sponsors as well as raising more money for cancer research.

In March 2014, the City of Manhattan Beach Parks & Recreation Department won a prestigious award for Outstanding Special Event for the Tour De Pier, presented by the State of California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Competing against many other cities throughout California, Tour de Pier was recognized as an event that significantly contributes to the overall betterment of the community. For more information, please visit www.TourdePier.com.

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