Redrock Roadrunners Charities recently donated $100,000 from its 2024 charity golf tournament to the Utah Valley University College of Science, in partnership with the DDx Foundation, to advance prostate cancer research.

The result of the research is to create a "bio bank" of clinical data that will help doctors in rural areas and those who work with underrepresented populations detect prostate cancer earlier. This information will enable them to provide better treatments, leading to improved outcomes for patients.

The partnership between UVU and DDx will create mutual benefits by providing advanced lab capabilities to support DDx's basic science initiatives and hands-on experience for UVU students. It will not only prepare students for successful careers in science and health but also strengthen connections with the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, creating invaluable research opportunities.

Daniel Horns, dean of UVU's College of Science, said there is no better way for students to develop industry-relevant skills than by hands-on learning working side-by-side with industry experts. "We are grateful for the Redrock Roadrunners' generosity and DDX's willingness to partner with UVU," he said. "These experiences will allow our students to step straight into top-tier jobs or be accepted to top medical schools when they graduate."

The Redrock Roadrunners raised the research funds at its Charity Cup competition during Golf Week 2024 at Sand Hollow Resort in St. George. Physicians from across the U.S., along with industry and tech representatives and others, gathered to support these efforts.

The Charity Cup golf tournament featured teams sponsored by the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders and the NBA's Utah Jazz, where former athletes and staff from their respective organizations played alongside business, political and community leaders in a Ryder Cup-style tournament.

"The DDx Foundation is excited to join forces with UVU to help patients harness their own data as a lifeline to access the most effective cancer therapies," said Matthew O. Leavitt, MD, executive director of the DDx Foundation.

This $100,000 donation reflects the shared commitment of UVU and the DDx Foundation to advancing science, improving patient care and preparing the next generation of scientists and health care professionals to meet the evolving needs of the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.