The Inspirational Story of Chris Baccash: A Brain Cancer Survivor Who’s Using Cycling to Make a Difference

Nothing was going to stop Chris Baccash from cycling. Not even cancer. And now, the sport he loves is empowering him to raise money for lifesaving cancer research.

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Chris’ story

Chris, a Doylestown, PA native, spent years pouring his heart and soul into competitive cycling. A founding member of the Doylestown Bike Works elite team, he devoted countless hours to training and racing. (In fact, it was Philadelphia Cycling Classic’s Carlos Rogers and his friends who got Chris into the sport!)

When Chris finished the 50-mile Bucks County Classic in September 2019 with his personal best result, he was at the top of his game. He had no idea that, only three months later, he would encounter his toughest obstacle yet.

After experiencing auditory hallucinations followed by a seizure at work, Chris was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer called diffuse astrocytoma. He has since undergone three brain surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Though cancer temporarily slowed him down, Chris was determined to get back on his bike. With clearance from his doctors, he pushed himself to complete the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, a challenging 104-mile mountain bike race in Colorado, in August 2021. Chris and his friends chronicled the experience of that race in the documentary Mountains We Climb.

But following his experience with cancer, cycling is no longer about winning races for himself. Chris gained a deeper appreciation for the camaraderie with his fellow riders—and he felt a newfound drive to use his cycling to help others.

A full-circle moment

On August 30, 2026, Chris will ride in the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Charity Ride for AACR: a 14-mile loop along the Classic’s iconic course before the professional race.  The event offers participants the opportunity to raise money for the ride’s Official Charity Partner, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR): a nonprofit organization with the mission to prevent and cure all types of cancer.

Chris shares why riding in the Charity Ride for AACR is so meaningful for him:

“After ending my cycling career due to my cancer diagnosis, I realized that bicycle racing added a lot of value to my life, but I wasn't sure if it was adding as much value to those around me. For a decade, I imagined myself lining up to race the Philadelphia Cycling Classic. This year, I have a chance to raise money for AACR to support lifesaving cancer research. Without world class treatments, I wouldn't have the opportunity to ride a bike at all.”   

How the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Charity Ride for AACR helps people like Chris 

All progress against cancer starts with research—and AACR supports the scientists who are propelling cancer research forward. Since 1993, AACR has awarded $551 million to 3,400+ scientists who are working tirelessly to improve cancer prevention, develop more effective treatments, and, ultimately, find cures. AACR has more than 65,000 members in 143 countries and territories. The expertise of AACR members fills the whole spectrum of cancer science and medicine, including epidemiology, prevention, cancer biology, clinical studies, survivorship, and advocacy. 

AACR members have been at the forefront of every major discovery in cancer research. In fact, Chris’ surgeons, Dr. Robert Lustig and Dr. Donald O’Rourke, are members of AACR.

When riders like Chris choose to fundraise for the Charity Ride, the money they raise will fund vital cancer research: giving Chris, and millions of other people who are facing cancer, better odds for living longer, healthier lives.

Chris didn’t stop, and neither can we. 

Sign up to ride by visiting AACR.org/PCC.

You can read more about Chris’ story on Penn Medicine’s blog here.