Federico Kalinec to Join LA Cancer Challenge 5K
The Los Angeles resident will participate in the October 25, 2026, race to support pancreatic cancer research efforts.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cancer
Federico Kalinec will join the LA Cancer Challenge 5K at UCLA on October 25, 2026. He is participating to raise awareness and funds for research into pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Why it matters
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors remain an underfunded category of cancer, making foundation-led support vital for advancing targeted treatment research. Funds raised contribute to initiatives like the PNET Pathway Grant Program.
Federico Kalinec is marking 14 years since his original diagnosis during the 5K race. The event takes place at UCLA as part of ongoing efforts to support targeted oncological research.
The players
Federico Kalinec
A cancer survivor who works with the Hirshberg Foundation to promote research for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
A non-profit organization that funds the PNET Pathway Grant Program and organizes events to support pancreatic cancer patients.
UCLA
A major research university and medical center in Los Angeles that hosts the site of Kalinec's surgery and the upcoming race.
The details
After receiving a diagnosis in 2012 and undergoing surgery at UCLA to remove his pancreas and part of his stomach, Kalinec faced a cancer recurrence in 2020. He has since utilized peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, a treatment approved by the FDA one year prior to his 2020 recurrence, which employs radioactive atoms to target and destroy tumor cells mapped by advanced PET scans.
Timeline
Kalinec received his initial diagnosis in 2012.
His cancer returned in 2020.
The LA Cancer Challenge 5K will take place on October 25, 2026.
The Big Picture
This race supports the PNET Pathway Grant Program, which is a specialized funding initiative for targeted cancer treatments. The event follows a pattern of patient-led advocacy designed to address the systemic funding gaps currently facing pancreatic neuroendocrine research.
Readers can participate in the LA Cancer Challenge 5K to provide financial support for research into advanced therapies like peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. These targeted treatments are improving outcomes for patients managing recurrent tumors through precise, radioactive atom delivery.
The takeaway
Advocacy events like the 5K help sustain funding for specialized research into rare tumor types. Patients managing complex diagnoses can benefit from staying informed on clinical advancements like peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest Cancer research developments and ongoing patient advocacy efforts in Los Angeles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC7.
