10/5/2026
PITTSBURGH - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Rush to Crush Cancer have awarded a $40,000 Community Mitigation Grant to Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3) to support radon mitigation efforts in Pittsburgh's Hill District, a neighborhood where elevated levels of the cancer-causing gas were discovered in residential homes.
The grant will fund the installation of radon mitigation systems in 29 homes found to have high levels of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
The initiative stems from findings uncovered during the University of Pittsburgh's 2023 Health and High-Water Study, which examined the health impacts of basement flooding and dampness in the Hill District. Although the study was not specifically focused on radon, researchers identified elevated radon levels in multiple homes, revealing a significant environmental health concern and an opportunity for cancer prevention through community intervention.
Accepting the grant was Jacquelyn Nixon, president and founder of CR3 and a lung cancer survivor. For Nixon, the issue is both professional and personal, and the reason she is dedicated to educating communities about radon exposure and advocating for testing and mitigation efforts. Through her longstanding partnerships with community organizations, residents and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center's Community Outreach and Engagement Office, Nixon has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about an often-overlooked cancer risk.
"When I learned that so many homes in the Hill District had elevated radon levels, I knew we had to act," Nixon said. "As a lung cancer survivor, I often wonder whether environmental exposures played a role in my own diagnosis. This grant gives us the opportunity to help protect families from a known cancer-causing risk and could ultimately save lives. I'm deeply grateful to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the Rush to Crush Cancer community for turning concern into action and making a real difference for our neighbors."
Community Support Driving Cancer Prevention
The grant was made possible through funds raised by Rush to Crush Cancer, an annual community-wide walk and bicycle event that supports cancer research, prevention, community outreach and education efforts. Presenting the grant to Nixon were UPMC Hillman Cancer Center director Dr. John Byrd and Rush to Crush Cancer executive director Ann Regan.
"One of the most powerful ways we can fight cancer is by preventing it before it begins," Byrd said. "This grant exemplifies the mission of UPMC Hillman's Community Outreach and Engagement program by bringing together community advocacy, cancer prevention, education and screening in a neighborhood that has faced significant environmental health challenges. Thanks to the generosity of Rush to Crush Cancer participants and donors, we are able to invest a portion of the proceeds into a project that will reduce exposure to a known carcinogen, connect residents with potentially lifesaving screening opportunities and advance our commitment to reducing cancer disparities across our region."
Expanding Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention
In addition to installing radon mitigation systems, the initiative will offer eligible residents lung cancer screening opportunities and provide education about lung health and cancer prevention. Residents will have the opportunity to participate in long-term monitoring efforts designed to help UPMC Hillman researchers better understand the relationship between environmental exposures and cancer risk.
The project reflects UPMC Hillman's commitment to addressing cancer disparities through community partnerships, prevention initiatives and research-driven outreach. It also demonstrates the power of philanthropic support through Rush to Crush Cancer, which brings together patients, families, survivors, caregivers and supporters to advance innovative cancer research and improve lives throughout the region.
"Every dollar raised through Rush to Crush Cancer represents hope," said Regan. "This grant is a powerful example of how community support can translate into real action, helping families reduce their exposure to a known cancer risk while strengthening education and prevention efforts where they are needed most."
How Do Radon Mitigation and Awareness Reduce Cancer Risk Before Diagnosis?
For residents of the Hill District, the grant represents more than home improvements. It creates an opportunity to reduce exposure to a known carcinogen, increase awareness about the importance of radon testing and potentially save lives through prevention and early detection.
By combining environmental mitigation, community education, cancer screening and ongoing research, the initiative underscores UPMC Hillman Cancer Center's belief that reducing cancer's impact begins long before a diagnosis. Through partnerships with community leaders and organizations, UPMC Hillman is working to address the factors that contribute to cancer risk and ensure that more individuals have access to the resources they need to lead healthier lives.
As Rush to Crush Cancer continues to invest in groundbreaking research, innovative treatments and community-based programs, this grant serves as a powerful reminder that the fight against cancer extends beyond the walls of a hospital and into the neighborhoods where people live, work and raise their families.
Photo (click image for high resolution)
Caption (L to R):
Peggy Rosenzweig, Ph.D., associate director of the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Ann Regan, executive director of Rush to Crush Cancer
Jacquelyn Nixon, president and founder of CR3
John Byrd, M.D., director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Beth Wild, president of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Credit: UPMC
