ST. LOUIS (May 23, 2023) — Pedal the Cause is proud to recognize Rich Liekweg, the president and CEO of BJC HealthCare, as the recipient of the 2023 Dan and Sheila Timm Breakaway Award. Presented each May at their annual Podium Dinner, this prestigious award honors an individual whose passion, leadership and extraordinary efforts to create a world without cancer have fostered the spirit of innovation and hope, while empowering positive change in the lives of those faced with a cancer diagnosis.

“Rich has been a champion for Pedal the Cause since day one,” said Dan Timm. “Funding cancer research is not only important for him professionally, but it is a personal passion. Sheila and I are honored to present Rich with this award to recognize how truly extraordinary his efforts to create a world without cancer have been.

Since 2010, Rich Liekweg has individually raised more than $256,000 as part of Team BJC HealthCare for Pedal the Cause. In addition to fundraising, Rich was part of the origin of the event, working with founders Bill and Amy Koman to put in place the structure of the 100% model that allows Pedal the Cause donations to directly fund cancer research.

“Rich knows that cancer does not discriminate, and rides in Pedal the Cause to support and honor his friends and family who are battling or who have battled,” says David Drier, executive director of Pedal the Cause. “That is why he was at the start line with us that first year in 2010, and why he continues to lead Team BJC HealthCare by example as a passionate participant and strong internal support.”

“It is a very special thing to be part of the Pedal the Cause Family and I am incredibly honored to be recognized with the Breakaway Award,” said Liekweg. “Professionally, I have watched the impact of Pedal the Cause dollars grow and make what was once impossible in cancer treatment, possible. Personally, my reasons to ride deepen every year, and I am humbled to play a small part in finding cures for cancer.”

In its third year, the Pedal the Cause Breakaway Award was awarded to its namesakes Dan and Sheila Timm in 2021 and to Teri Griege in 2022. The award is presented annually at the Pedal the Cause Podium Dinner, an evening to honor and celebrate the participants who raised $25,000 or more for the previous year’s event. This year, Pedal the Cause celebrated its 24 Podium fundraisers on Thursday, May 18 with an intimate dinner.

Rich Liekweg accepts the Pedal the Cause Dan and Shelia Timm Breakaway award from Dan and Sheila Timm.