Pink's San Diego cancer benefit raises $8.25m, taking series past $28m

A concert featuring American singer Pink in San Diego has raised $8.25 million for cancer research, taking the total collected through the Concert for Cures series to more than $28 million. Around 25,000 people attended the May 15 event at Petco Park, including thousands of cancer survivors. The fundraising figures were announced by Curebound, a San Diego-based organisation that supports research on cancer. The concert brought together music fans, cancer survivors and organisations supporting medical research. The event was organised to raise money for studies focused on preventing cancer, detecting it earlier and improving treatment options. Pink was the main performer at this year's concert. Her performance included several of her well-known songs, along with aerial acts that are a regular feature of her live shows. She also spoke about the importance of the organisation's work and thanked those who had gathered to support it. “I was part of some of the most important work that there is to do. Cancer sucks, and I am just very grateful to be of use, and I am very grateful to be here with all of you, and I am just very grateful,” Pink told the audience, as quoted by the Times of San Diego. The $8.25 million raised during the evening was another contribution to a fundraising programme that has been running since 2022. Over four concerts, the initiative has brought together more than 60,000 attendees, with performances by some of the biggest names in international music. Concerts brought more than $28 million Pink is the latest musician to take part in Concert for Cures, which has previously featured Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Alicia Keys. The artists performed at different venues in San Diego, helping Curebound reach audiences beyond the medical and research communities. Elton John performed at Petco Park, while Alicia Keys appeared alongside the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Ed Sheeran's concert took place at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, where he performed before a sold-out audience. The organisation's CEO, Robin Toft, addressed the audience during Pink's concert and explained why public contributions were particularly important at a time of uncertainty over national research funding. According to Curebound CEO Robin Toft, the contributions made by those attending the concert would help fund research into better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. She also stressed the importance of such fundraising efforts at a time when national funding for scientific research remained uncertain. How the money will be used Curebound funds scientific projects examining different aspects of cancer, including how the disease develops, how it can be identified and how patients can be treated. Its work covers cancers affecting both adults and children. The organisation has so far awarded $51.5 million in research grants, supporting 170 studies involving 23 types of cancer. The funding has also contributed to 28 clinical trials. Clinical trials involve testing medical treatments or other interventions in people to assess their safety and effectiveness. Another result of the organisation's investments has been the additional funding secured for research. Curebound reported that projects it supported had attracted $161 million in follow-on funding, allowing scientists to expand their work beyond the initial grants. Rick Valencia, chair of Curebound's board, said the organisation was focused on what scientific progress could mean for patients and their families. Valencia co-chaired the 2026 concert organising committee with his daughter, Aubrey Salvati. According to Curebound Board Chair Rick Valencia, progress in cancer research could give patients and their families more treatment options and more time together. He said the organisation measured its success not only by the funds raised but also by the difference its research efforts could make to families.