San Francisco City Hall was illuminated in orange on May 9, 2026, in recognition of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month and the city’s inaugural in-person Walk to End Bladder Cancer, a milestone reflecting the strength and leadership of UCSF’s nationally recognized bladder cancer program. Mayor Daniel Lurie proclaimed the day “Walk to End Bladder Cancer Day,” highlighting a growing community effort shaped by years of dedication to patients and families affected by the disease.
“What this community has accomplished together over the past several years is a powerful reflection of that excellence, dedication, and commitment to patients and families affected by bladder cancer.” - Krisztina Emodi, NP-C, MPH, CNS
The event raised more than $120,000 to support patient programs, research, and advocacy through the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), making it the top-performing walk among 21 cities nationwide in 2026 and the highest-grossing walk to date.
While this marked San Francisco’s first official in-person walk, the effort has been years in the making. Over the past four years, UCSF has participated as a virtual team, raising more than $120,000 and becoming one of BCAN’s most successful online fundraising groups. During that time, participants continued to gather locally for informal walks and community events, building a foundation that grew from a small group of 10 people meeting at Mission Bay into a large and energized community.
This year, that momentum came to life in a major way. Under the San Francisco umbrella, 27 mini teams were formed, with one of the most meaningful aspects being the extraordinary level of participation from patients, many of whom helped lead and carry the mission forward. The UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center also supported the event by funding food.
Organized by UCSF Bladder Cancer Survivorship Lead Krisztina Emodi, NP-C, MPH, CNS, the walk brought together patients, families, clinicians, and supporters from across the Bay Area. Participation from institutions including Kaiser Permanente and Stanford underscored a shared regional commitment to improving outcomes for bladder cancer patients.
One standout group, UCSF’s “Urine It to Win It” team, was the top fundraiser, contributing $64,915 toward the overall total. “UCSF’s bladder cancer program, spanning both surgical and medical oncology, is truly among the nation’s leading programs,” said Emodi, who organized the event alongside colleagues from UCSF Urology. “What this community has accomplished together over the past several years is a powerful reflection of that excellence, dedication, and commitment to patients and