Climb 4 Kidney Cancer Returns to Huntington Bank Stadium

On Saturday, October 4, nearly 300 former patients, families, physicians, researchers, volunteers, and community members gathered at Huntington Bank Stadium for the 2025 Climb 4 Kidney Cancer fundraiser. This inspiring event brought together individuals united by a shared purpose: to honor those affected by kidney cancer and to support groundbreaking research at the University of Minnesota. 

“Our kidney cancer patients are why we’re here,” said Dr. Joseph Zabell, Associate Professor specializing in urologic oncology at the University of Minnesota Department of Urology. “Climb 4 Kidney Cancer is a day to celebrate loved ones and patients who battle kidney cancer, to bring awareness to this disease, and to raise money to help us with our ongoing research efforts.” 

Participants had the option to walk across the top of the stadium or tackle one of three stair-climbing challenges. The Piggy Bank route covered the lower level, the Big Bank involved all 6,054 steps around the stadium, and the Burly Bank challenged climbers to complete as many full laps of the stadium as possible. Several climbers completed the full course with impressive times, but the fastest finished in just 32 minutes! 

While the physical challenge promoted wellness—an important factor in cancer prevention and survivorship—the heart of the event was its mission: to raise funds for research scholarships that empower the next generation of scientists working to end kidney cancer. 

This year’s climb raised approximately $20,155, all of which will directly support kidney cancer research and education at the University of Minnesota. 

Climb 4 Kidney Cancer began in 2013 at what was then TCF Bank Stadium, founded by Dr. Christopher Weight—now a urologist at the Cleveland Clinic—who recognized the lack of advocacy organizations for kidney cancer. He partnered with Mike Wright, who sadly passed away from kidney cancer in 2019, to establish the nonprofit TeaM8, with Climb 4 Kidney Cancer as its flagship initiative. According to the organization’s website, the event’s mission is to “promote wellness, research, and to elevate and celebrate those affected by kidney cancer.” 

If you missed the climb but would like to support kidney cancer research, you can make a donation by visiting this website or by sending a check to the University of Minnesota Foundation. In the memo section of the check, please write the fund name: Climb 4 Kidney Cancer Event Fund. 

Checks can be mailed to: 

University of Minnesota Foundation 

PO Box 860266 

Minneapolis, MN 55455-2010