Give To The UNC Kidney Center
Thank you to our generous donors.
Hugh and Nan Cullman
A generous philanthropic gift made by the late Hugh and Nan Cullman has made a transformational impact at UNC School of Medicine, particularly in the areas of kidney and autoimmune disease.
Through a substantial transformative gift, the Cullman family has helped to elevate the UNC Kidney Center to among the finest centers of its kind in the world.
The UNC Kidney Center was founded by Ronald J. Falk, MD, FACP, FASN, co-director of the center and an internationally recognized clinical nephrologist with specific interest in ANCA-associated vasculitis and autoimmune kidney disease. Falk was named the Nan and Hugh Cullman Eminent Professor in 2016 following Nan’s passing. Hugh Cullman, a former naval officer and Vice Chairman and Director of Philip Morris Companies, passed away in late 2023.
In addition to establishing an eminent professorship in nephrology, the generous investment by the Cullmans created the Nan and Hugh Cullman Autoimmune Kidney Disease Research Fund as well as the Nan and Hugh Cullman Nursing Research and Education Fund. The Nan O. Cullman Fund specifically supports the UNC Kidney Center.
“Without Hugh and Nan’s support, none of the things that are being accomplished at the UNC Kidney Center would be possible,” Falk said. “They have truly paid it forward in so many ways, and I am incredibly grateful to have had their support and friendship.”
The Raven Rock Ramble
The Raven Rock Ramble is more than a bike ride—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the power of organ donation. The event was founded in 2002 by David Cole, a kidney transplant recipient who wanted to give back in a meaningful way.
Drawing on his experience with the North Carolina Bicycle Club, David envisioned a premier cycling event that riders would look forward to year after year. He set three goals from the start: (1) create a first-class ride that cyclists would mark on their calendars; (2) raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, and (3) generate funds to support this lifesaving cause.
The result was the Raven Rock Ramble, named for the beautiful Raven Rock State Park, whose scenic roads and challenging routes form the heart of the course.
From the beginning, the Ramble has attracted many riders—165 showed up that first year. Today, registration fills up within 90 minutes of opening with 600-700 riders now competing in this event annually. Always held the first Sunday in May, the ride has become a beloved tradition in the Research Triangle cycling community.
Over its two decades, the Ramble has raised over $500,000 in support of the UNC Kidney Center. Through their collaboration, they have raised public awareness of the importance of organ donation and inspired countless participants to register as donors—many crediting the event itself as the reason they signed up.
In 2022, after directing the event for 20 years, David Cole announced he was stepping down. To ensure the ride’s future, the Raven Rock Ramble became a 501(c)(3) public charity with a rotating team of organizers. That spirit of teamwork now fuels the event’s continued success, supported by over 100 volunteers and 160 individual jobs, plus corporate sponsors who help make it all possible.
From a transplant recipient’s dream to a premier cycling tradition, the Raven Rock Ramble continues to honor the gift of organ donation while bringing people together on two wheels.