Pagano's ChuckStrong Gala sets fundraising record

Colts coach Chuck Pagano's "ChuckStrong" Tailgate Gala had its most successful night yet.

The event, held Friday at the Colts training facility in Indianapolis, raised a record $720,000 for cancer research at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, according to center officials.

The funds were raised through corporate sponsorships, live and silent auctions as well as a $50,000 matching gift donated by Pagano and his wife, Tina.

This was the third annual ChuckStrong Gala, an event that was inspired after Pagano's own battle with cancer in 2012. With Pagano's backing, it continues to grow rapidly.

"I wasn't here very long and with the support I got from this city and the way they embraced me and my cancer journey, I'm not shocked," Pagano said of the growth. "This city, this state, this organization, top to bottom, is just littered with very, very good people. Kind people, selfless people, people who love helping one another. It's Hoosier hospitality at its finest.

"Am I surprised? No. But I'm just very grateful and very thankful that we have the support that we have and the people are willing to give back and be generous with their blessings and the gifts that they have, so that we can continue to fund the doctors and the nurses and the scientists and the researchers so they can do their job."

Pagano has taken up the cause of cancer research since overcoming leukemia, but he's also connected on a personal level with people who share similar stories.

"We take no days for granted when you go through stuff and you go through circumstances and you're one of the lucky ones," he said. "I meet a lot of people. Cancer doesn't discriminate. It touches basically everybody in some form or fashion. I'm very honored and privileged to have an opportunity to serve and give back."