Gary’s Ride Contributions and Sponsorships Provide $15,000 to Advance Rural Iowa Cancer Research in Honor of Beloved Husband
In a heartfelt tribute to a husband, father, and cyclist lost to brain cancer, Gary’s Ride Donations and Sponsorships donated $15,000 to support community-based cancer research in Iowa. The gift, made through Gary’s Ride—a nonprofit established in memory of Gary Wiedenfeld—will directly benefit the Iowa Oncology Research Association (IORA), a unique rural cancer research program that serves communities across the state.
Gary Wiedenfeld was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2020. A lifelong Iowan and passionate cyclist, Gary faced his diagnosis with courage and a determination to fight not just for himself, but for others who would face the same disease. After his passing, Gary’s wife, Kristin, created Gary’s Ride as a way to carry forward his legacy and raise awareness about brain cancer.
“We created Gary’s Ride to continue the fight Gary started,” said Kristin Wiedenfeld. “We want families in small towns and rural communities to know they’re not alone, and that research is happening right here in Iowa to help save lives.”
The $15,000 gift will help support IORA’s mission to bring clinical trials and cutting-edge cancer research to patients treated in community settings—outside of major academic hospitals. IORA is part of Iowa-Wide Oncology Research Coalition (I-WORC) which is a National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and is governed by a collaborative board representing cancer centers in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Ames, Fort Dodge, Carroll and Pella.
“In cancer research, the focus is often on large institutions in big cities—but IORA is proof that world-class research can and should happen in every community,” said Dr. Arshin Sheybani, Co-Principal Investigator for IWORC. “This generous gift from Gary’s Ride will help bring clinical trials and hope to more Iowans, closer to home.”
Cancer research in the United States is primarily funded through two channels: private industry and the federal government. I-WORC is solely supported through federal grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), making philanthropic contributions like the Gary’s Ride even more vital. As questions persist around the future of federal research funding, community support plays a growing role in advancing care.
“Every trial, every breakthrough, starts with someone believing it’s possible,” Dr. Sheybani added. “This gift sends a powerful message that rural cancer research matters—and that people want to be part of the solution.”
To learn more about Gary’s Ride, visit www.garysrideiowa.org. To support IORA and cancer research in Iowa, please contact IORA at 515/241-3305 or visit www.iora.org.