Old rivalries flare for third Connor's Erg Challenge

MADISON, Wis. -- This Thursday, March 8, the Wisconsin rowing programs will take part in the third Conor's Erg Challenge, in an effort to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research.

The event began with two of the United States' best college rowing teams in Wisconsin and Stanford, and adds Duke for the third year. The teams will compete head on in a 100 km Erg Challenge, all in the name of pediatric brain cancer research.

The winning school on the erg will win the Connor Cup.

Pediatric brain cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of children in the U.S. Current clinical treatments only help 50 per cent of children, but leave 90 per cent with lifelong physical and mental impairments. Research is on the verge of exciting breakthroughs, however falls short of the funding required.

The rowing challenge was created by the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation in honour of the late Robert 'Connor' Dawes, who, at just 18 years old lost his own battle with brain cancer.

Connor was born in Wisconsin in 1994 and raised in Australia. A child of two countries, Connor spent most of his life living in Australia and loving America.

An excellent student and rower, Connor applied to the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University and was invited to attend Stanford summer school the day before his brain tumor surgery. Unfortunately, he would never attend.

Connor's mom Liz Dawes said Connor was determined to study and row at one of these schools, until he was robbed of the chance.

"For 16 months Connor's body and mind gave it all to fight this awful disease, but on April 20, 2013 Connor's battle ended," she said.

"During Connor's treatment Craig Amerkhanian, head of Stanford rowing, had kept in touch to offer support to our family during this tough time.

"Once the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation was formed in June 2013, Craig was determined to help.

"As it turned out, Craig was a good friend of Chris Clark, head of rowing at Wisconsin, which was both one of Connor's dream colleges and, where I went to school. And so, Connor's Erg Challenge was born between Connor's two dream schools."

2018 marks the third year of the competition, with Wisconsin undefeated and more than $25,000 raised for pediatric brain cancer. This year's teams are hoping to raise an additional $20,000 for brain cancer research.

Fifty percent of the funds raised at each school will go towards each University's neuro-science department, including the Lucille Packard Foundation in Palo Alto, and the Wisconsin Children's Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. The remaining 50 percent will fund the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation's U.S brain projects.

For more information on the challenge, to make a donation or support your team, please visit classy.org/campaign/connors-erg-challenge-2018/c160686 or rcdfoundation.org

About the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation
Inspired by a big heart and brain, the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation was created in June 2013 in the memory of Robert Connor Dawes. Who, at just 18 years of age, lost his 16-month battle with brain cancer.

The RCD Foundation operates in Australia and the U.S. where brain cancer is the most fatal of all childhood cancers. The foundation supports brain projects in the areas of research, care and development – to fund the science to end brain cancer and support patients in the meantime.

University of Wisconsin Athletics

Old rivalries flare for third Connor's Erg Challenge

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