News in Brief

HONORING A LIFE, ADVANCING CANCER RESEARCH  

For more than 15 years, the family and friends of UVA alumnus and former Cavalier football player Michael R. Pascucci have come together to support lifesaving cancer research through the Michael R. Pascucci Cancer Association (MPCA). Founded by his widow, Amy Pascucci Hanrahan, the organization honors Michael’s memory and his mission to help others after he passed away from stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in 2007. 

Each year, the MPCA hosts ScucciFest—a music-filled fundraiser held on the James River in Midlothian to benefit cancer research. This year, the organization chose to donate the proceeds—a $50,000 gift—to support the work of Kristin Anderson, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at UVA School of Medicine. Anderson’s lab is focused on developing new T-cell therapies for ovarian cancer, combining advanced immune engineering with checkpoint-inhibitor drugs to overcome the disease’s resistance to the immune system. 

“Mike was a proud UVA grad who was larger than life and loved helping others,” said Amy. “He’d be thrilled that his legacy is supporting the University’s groundbreaking cancer research, including Dr. Anderson’s.” 

“Immunotherapies are remarkable in that they can target cancer directly with limited side effects,” said Dr. Anderson. “Support from organizations like MPCA is critical. It allows us to explore combination treatments and develop new approaches that could change outcomes for patients.” 

THOUSANDS UNITE AGAINST BREAST CANCER

On Aug. 30, thousands of women came together at Foxfield for the 43rd annual Charlottesville Women’s Four Miler, Virginia’s largest women-only race. Since its founding in 1983, this community event has raised over $4.2 million in support of UVA Health Breast Care Center. This year’s event alone raised $80,000 for the cause.  

Participants ran or walked the scenic countryside course—or joined virtually from around the country—with one goal: to support breast cancer research, screenings, and patient care throughout the region. 

Thanks to the support of the Charlottesville Track Club, Foxfield, and hundreds of volunteers and local sponsors, the 2025 event was another powerful show of unity in the fight against breast cancer. All proceeds from the race directly benefit UVA Health Breast Care Center, helping expand access to early breast cancer detection and compassionate care. (Photo credit: Stephanie Kowalczyk)

JOIN THE FIGHT GOLF TOURNAMENT 

On July 14, golfers gathered at River Creek Country Club in Leesburg for the inaugural Join the Fight Charity Golf Open—an all-day event supporting research and patient care at UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center. Over $84,000 was raised.  

Founded by cancer survivor Barry Levine and sponsored by SZNS Solutions and Carahsoft, the tournament brought together individuals and foursomes from across the region for a day of golf with purpose. All proceeds from the event directly benefited UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

For Levine, the event was deeply personal. Treated by UVA Health Cancer Care during his own battle with the disease, Levine credits his cancer team with saving his life—and the lives of so many others. 

“I cannot begin to sincerely thank them for what they did every day to save mine and thousands of others’ lives,” he said. 

The success of the first Join the Fight tournament not only honored Levine’s journey but also helped ensure continued support for UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center’s mission to advance lifesaving care, one patient and one discovery at a time. 

PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Stay in the Game initiative brought together community leaders, survivors, and healthcare professionals in Danville and Charlottesville to raise awareness about a disease that affects one in eight men in the United States—and nearly one in six Black men. 

Launched in late 2024 and expanded earlier this year, Stay in the Game is a grassroots initiative aimed at sparking conversations about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection. By engaging trusted local voices—known as “champions”—the initiative brings lifesaving information directly into neighborhoods where the need is critical. 

 
In Danville—where prostate cancer mortality rates are higher than the state average—faith leaders, community organizers, and health advocates partnered with Stay in the Game to host educational events, public outreach activities, and even health-themed bingo nights. In Charlottesville, powerful survivor testimonials and presentations from UVA researchers effectively conveyed the urgency of early detection and the promise of new treatment approaches. 

“Awareness spreads because of our passionate community partners,” said Ashley Banegas, outreach and engagement specialist at UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center. “They are the heart of this work—and they truly care about our community’s health.” 

In a show of unity and support, the City of Danville formally recognized September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. “We are reminding families across our city of the importance of regular screenings and supporting loved ones who may be affected by this disease,” said Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones. “Together, we can spread awareness, save lives, and encourage our community to prioritize men’s health.”