Upcoming Event: Track & Field versus Duke Invitational on April 8, 2026
Track & Field
vs Duke Invitational
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Bench to Beat Cancer Crosses $100,000 Threshold
4/8/2026 11:46:00 AM | Athletics
DURHAM, N.C. — In the fourth edition of the Bench to Beat Cancer event, 231 Duke student-athletes, coaches and staff helped raise $37,324, with more pledges still coming in.
The four-year event total is now $121,884, creating a tremendous positive impact on patients and families struggling with the many burdens of fighting cancer.
Participants find sponsors to pledge donations based on the number of bench press reps performed within one minute. Each participant chooses a weight to bench press from the following categories: 45, 65, 135 or 185 pounds. On Sunday, March 29, coaches and staff (from 9-10 a.m.) followed by student-athletes (10 a.m. to noon) hit the gym to make good on the pledged donations.
Bench to Beat Cancer is a fundraiser hosted by Duke Athletics' Sports Performance/Olympic Sports Performance, in partnership with the Duke Cancer Institute's Supportive Care & Survivorship Center, to help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with a cancer diagnosis. Some of these barriers to cancer care include the cost of transportation, utility bills and housing/lodging. While doctors work on the physical issues, the student-athletes, coaches and staff of Duke Athletics help ease the financial and emotional stressors that occur because of a cancer diagnosis.
#GoDuke
The four-year event total is now $121,884, creating a tremendous positive impact on patients and families struggling with the many burdens of fighting cancer.
Participants find sponsors to pledge donations based on the number of bench press reps performed within one minute. Each participant chooses a weight to bench press from the following categories: 45, 65, 135 or 185 pounds. On Sunday, March 29, coaches and staff (from 9-10 a.m.) followed by student-athletes (10 a.m. to noon) hit the gym to make good on the pledged donations.
Bench to Beat Cancer is a fundraiser hosted by Duke Athletics' Sports Performance/Olympic Sports Performance, in partnership with the Duke Cancer Institute's Supportive Care & Survivorship Center, to help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with a cancer diagnosis. Some of these barriers to cancer care include the cost of transportation, utility bills and housing/lodging. While doctors work on the physical issues, the student-athletes, coaches and staff of Duke Athletics help ease the financial and emotional stressors that occur because of a cancer diagnosis.
#GoDuke
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