UCANCERVIVE Foundation

Raising vital funds for cancer research

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Fast Laps, Big Hearts • UCANCERVIVE Event Brings Joy to Cancer Families

Events, Foundation, News

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, UCANCERVIVE Foundation hosted their 5th Annual Drive for the Cure in Pontiac, MI.

Families affected by cancer were invited to experience an unforgettable day of speed, smiles, and support at our special Drive for the Cure event. Held at M1 Concourse, the event gave children and families the unique opportunity to ride in high-performance race cars, experience the excitement of the track, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Beyond the thrill of the track, this year’s event held a deeper meaning for our organization. We took time to honor and remember three extraordinary individuals – Sean Egan, Sarah Espinoza and Kayden Strong – who passed away over the last year. These individuals are not only beloved members of our community, but made an everlasting impact on the hearts of our board and committee members. Their strength, courage, and spirit left a lasting mark on our organization, and their legacy of compassion, advocacy, and strength will continue to inspire us. We were proud to celebrate their memory with a special tribute during the thrill rides on this day.

Throughout the day, the track was filled with laughter, cheers, and moments of connection – a reminder that even amidst hardship, there is still room for joy, unity, and hope. Volunteers, professional drivers, sponsors, and families all came together to create something truly special – a powerful show of community and a bold step forward in the fight against cancer.

Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported this event. Together, we are driving change – one lap at a time.

UCANCERVIVE Funds $450K+ to Karmanos Cancer Institute for Continued Research in Using Radiofrequency to Treat Cancer

Foundation, Grant Funding, News, Press Release

The National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center will expand clinical trial studies for multiple cancer types

DETROIT — The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been awarded $459,010 for continued research in treating cancers with radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Leaders from U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation, an organization that supports cancer research in Michigan, delivered the check to Karmanos researchers in March. U CAN-CER VIVE was co-founded by Ryan and Kelley LaFontaine. The funds will help open clinical trial studies in cancer treatment of breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancers, and continue studies in liver cancer with the novel, handheld, portable device, TheraBionic P1.

“U CAN-CER VIVE has supported the important research that our scientists conduct, and we are grateful to have had their continued commitment over the years that assists our labs in breakthrough research and development of novel treatments,” explained Anthony Shields, M.D., Ph.D., medical oncologist, associate center director of Clinical Sciences and member of the Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos. “We’ve seen clear benefits in patients that we have prescribed the TheraBionic P1 device since we began offering this therapy in November. Since the announcement of Karmanos being the first to offer treatments with the device for advanced liver cancer, many of our clinical researchers have been looking into how this new therapy can extend treatment options for many of their patients.”

The TheraBionic P1 device was FDA-approved in September 2023 to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer. This treatment concept and device has undergone two decades of research and studies, which showed using the TheraBionic P1 device resulted in tumor shrinkage, blocked new cancer cell growth, and increased overall survival rates. According to TheraBionic, Inc., patients undergoing treatment in these studies did not experience debilitating side effects associated with other cancer-fighting therapies, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and irritation of the palms and soles. One patient lived nearly six years, using the device consistently months after recurrence of HCC. TheraBionic P1 is the first FDA-approved systemic therapy using radiofrequency electromagnetic fields to treat cancer.

The TheraBionic P1 device was co-invented by Boris Pasche, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, the president and CEO of Karmanos. In research studies, he and his co-inventor, Alexandre Barbault, learned that specific tumors react to specific tumor frequencies.

“The device is amplitude-modulated at tumor-specific frequencies. We discovered that different frequencies are needed for HCC, breast, pancreatic, colon cancers, and other solid tumors. Dr. Shields and our Karmanos physician-scientists are leading these studies. We look forward to the results of these clinical trials and hope to continue offering this device to patients who may need another option for treatment,” said Dr. Pasche.

The device emits low levels of 27.12 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, which are amplitude-modulated at tumor-specific frequencies ranging from 200 Hz to 100,000 Hz. The patient puts a spoon-shaped antenna on their tongue to administer treatment in three one-hour sessions daily in the comfort of their own home. The specific low levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields travel throughout the patient’s body to the primary tumor and its metastases, wherever they are located. The tumor-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are recognized by receptors on tumor cells.1,2 Once recognized by the receptors, the signal transforms into growth arrest, blocking the growth of tumor cells without affecting healthy tissue. Radiofrequency levels delivered during treatment are lower than those generated by cellular phones when held close to the body.

“U CAN-CER VIVE was born from a deeply personal place — a promise to fight for every life impacted by cancer,” said Kelley LaFontaine, co-founder of U CAN-CER VIVE. “This gift to Karmanos represents more than funding; it’s our unwavering belief in the brilliance of Michigan’s researchers and the strength of every patient in the fight of their life. To know that this device is already changing outcomes, already giving families more time together — that’s why we do what we do. We are honored to stand beside the team at Karmanos as they push the boundaries of what’s possible and bring new light into the lives of so many.”

Many of the studies that the U CAN-CER VIVE grant supports are expected to open in 2025. Currently, Karmanos has a study available for patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

For more information on clinical trials available at Karmanos and to access the clinical trials portal, visit karmanos.org/clinicaltrials.

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About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Karmanos Cancer Institute is a leader in transformative cancer care, research and education through courage, commitment and compassion. The Karmanos vision is a world free of cancer. As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan. For more than 75 years, the administrative and research headquarters, along with the premier specialty cancer hospital, have been located in downtown Detroit. With 17 network sites, Karmanos delivers world-renowned care and access to clinical trials throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Karmanos as one of the best cancer centers in the nation with a comprehensive cancer center designation. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides the framework for cancer research and education – defining new standards of care and improving survivorship. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit karmanos.org. Follow Karmanos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation
Founded in 2016 by siblings Ryan and Kelley LaFontaine, U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising vital funds for cancer research. 100% of donations go directly toward funding grants for life-saving cancer research in the state of Michigan. Powered entirely by passionate volunteers, U CAN-CER VIVE is dedicated to creating a sustainable impact by supporting cutting-edge research, driving awareness, and offering hope to countless individuals and families affected by cancer. With the belief that together we CAN make a difference, U CAN-CER VIVE continues to fuel progress toward a cancer-free future.

To learn more or get involved, follow @UCANCERVIVE on social media, or email us directly at admin@ucancervive.com today!

U CAN-CER VIVE Funds $400K Cancer Research with Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Events, Foundation, News, Press Release

In March of 2024 U CAN-CER-VIVE Foundation awarded Suresh Balasubramanian, M.D., and his team of investigators a $405,315 grant for their continued research, titled “Biological Aging and Mutational/Immunological Signatures as Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers for Treatment of Hematological Malignancies.”

“Receiving such generous backing from the U CAN-CER VIVE foundation is truly significant. Their consistent support for Michigan Researchers over the past several years has been instrumental in advancing scientific research,” said Dr. Balasubramanian. “This grant will enable us to employ the latest scientific techniques to finetune and validate a new biomarker in different clinical settings, which has the potential to transform the care of our patients.”

Dr. Balasubramanian is a hematologist and medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of clonal hematopoiesis, myelodysplasia, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. He’s also a member of the Hematology Oncology and Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Multidisciplinary Teams, and the Molecular Therapeutics (MT) Research Program at Karmanos. He and his team of investigators are exploring the idea of estimating biological age as a better surrogate to determine treatment decisions for certain cancers as opposed to chronological age. Chronological age takes into the number of birthdays a patient has, whereas biological age would help consider various changes that happen in a patient’s body at the tiny level of cells and their parts.

U CAN-CER VIVE is grateful to support cancer research here in Michigan. As a nonprofit that is 100% volunteer based, we are proud to donate 100% of profits raised directly to our cause. Our goal? A CANCER FREE WORLD. Click below to continue reading and to learn more about how our research dollars are in action at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute right here in Detroit, Michigan.

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Urban Wick Candle Bar • Think Pink!

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Think PINK this October! Urban Wick Candle Bar of Birmingham, MI is a community partner of U CAN-CER VIVE. 25% of each October Signature Candle sale will be donated to U CAN-CER VIVE to help raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as well as providing vital funds for cancer research to create a cancer free world! Together, we can make a difference in the world of cancer.

Visit Urban Wick Candle Bar in Birmingham, MI during the month of October to purchase your PINK candle and help support a great cause.

Ugly Dog Triathlon Supports U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation

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Swim. Bike. Run. Sit. Stay. All the things you get to do for the upcoming 2021 Ugly Dog Triathlon this summer! Join in on the fun and help support U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation while doing it!

Epic Races has partnered with Ugly Dog Distillery, LLC and LaFontaine Automotive Group to put on an Ugly Dog Triathlon this July 17, 2021 in support of U CAN-CER VIVE Foundation as the charity of choice.

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“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but gravel, or allroad, is kind of a triathlon thing. Just look at the front page of the Slowtwitch Forum right now. Maybe three threads on it, right now, on gravel, the bikes, the races. Gravel is really where road and tri meet. Multisport gravitates to it because we like tech – a lot – and we like moving from one endurance paradigm to another.” – Dan Empfield, USAT Hall of Famer

For this reason, we are excited to present to you the Ugly Dog Triathlon.

This is a “Road Optional” event, so naturally, your road choice is optional.  You like gravel?  Choose the “Ugly Dog” gravel option.  Don’t like to get dirty?  Choose the “Pretty Dog” pavement option.

Swimming is not your thing? Do the du!  Prefer swim, bike, done?  Sign up for the aqua bike!

In the spirit of bike racing, drafting rules will not be enforced in the Ugly Dog events.  Click here to understand the differences between draft-legal and non-draft-legal triathlon. Drafting is not allowed on aerobars. (Please respect social distancing guidelines.)

Interested in gravel but unsure of what kind of bike to ride? You can use almost any kind of bike — whether it’s a mountain, hybrid, cyclocross, gravel, or even a road bike. If you choose to ride a road bike, we recommend using a tire designed for gravel roads.

We are incredibly honored to be recognized and supported through this event and cannot wait to attend and be a part of something so fun!

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Thank you to the sponsors of this event: Probility Physical Therapy, LaFontaine Automotive Group, Ugly Dog Distillery, LLC, DNR Department of Natural Resources of Michigan, Hyperice, Absopure, Suburban Chevrolet of Ann Arbor, Fraser Bicycle, Michigan Fitness Foundation, USA Triathlon, Ann Arbor Sports Commission, Kapnick and LJF.