By Mandi Rice and Véronique LaCapra, St. Louis Public Radio
ST. LOUIS – Last month, more than 800 cyclists raced to raise money for cancer. On Wednesday, Pedal the Cause founder Bill Koman presented a $910,000 check to leaders of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital and the Siteman Cancer Center.
The money will be used as "seed grants" -- initial funding for innovative research. That research could later bring in national grant money according to Koman.
"The national grants that come in from the NIH and the NCI are for millions and millions and tens of millions of dollars," Koman said. "It's a huge multiplier effect."
Lee Fetter is president of Children's Hospital. He said their share of the money will fund research projects on pediatric cancers, especially cancers in the brain.
"For instance, one of [the researchers] is looking at the deployment of nanoparticles in taking chemotherapy drugs across the blood-brain barrier, and targeting, attacking tumor cells in the brain," Fetter said.
This is the first year for Pedal the Cause. Many of those biking had personal experiences with cancer.
"I lost my mother almost a year ago to a terrible brain tumor," said rider Susan Sherman. "But I have to say, if anyone, anyplace can find a cure, I firmly believe it's right here in St. Louis."