The Haslam 3 Foundation donates $2 million to Pelotonia

In July, Pelotonia announced a $2 million donation from Jimmy and Dee Haslam and The Haslam 3 Foundation to accelerate scientific research on CLL, supporting Pelotonia’s mission.  

Dee and Jimmy Haslam are managing partners of Haslam Sports Group, a sports and entertainment group with ownership of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, operating rights to Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, co-ownership of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, and investors in the WNBA. The Haslam 3 Foundation is the family’s philanthropic foundation which gives back to community organizations in Ohio and Tennessee.   

“Pelotonia offers hope for so many people impacted by cancer, including my own family,” said Dee Haslam. “Everyone is affected by cancer. My hope is more and more people get involved in Pelotonia – whether they ride on their bikes or make donations. I get excited thinking about all of the ways you can participate. I hope our gift inspires others to support Pelotonia as well.”

The donation will also provide operational support for Pelotonia, adding The Haslam 3 Foundation as a funding partner. Funding partners ensure Pelotonia directs 100 percent of every participant-raised dollar to innovative cancer research.  

“As I’ve spent time with Dee and Jimmy over the past few years, they were eager to understand how Pelotonia was making such a big impact not only on research but engaging in the community in meaningful ways. They wanted to be a part of it,” said Doug Ulman, Vice Chair of the Pelotonia Board and cancer survivor. “I’ve been honored to get to know them as people. We are thankful to have the Haslams as part of the Pelotonia community and for their investment in furthering our mission.”  

Investment for CLL Patients Today and Tomorrow

CLL is a cancer that affects the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. It is the most common form of adult leukemia in the Western Hemisphere, accounting for about one-quarter of new leukemia cases in the U.S.  

The OSUCCC – James is a global leader in research and treatment for hematologic cancers, including CLL.   

Jennifer Woyach, MD, a hematologist-oncologist at the OSUCCC – James, professor in the Division of Hematology, and co-leader of the Leukemia and Hematologic Malignancies Research Program, will lead the work. Woyach is a Pelotonia-funded researcher through both an Idea Grant and Fellow, and was named Pelotonia’s 2021 Researcher of the Year for her work in CLL research and patient care.  

“This funding will help us launch clinical trials for frontline CLL to try to optimize therapy for all patients. As well, we are expanding our research program in immunotherapy for CLL, and this funding will greatly accelerate this work,” said Woyach.  

Future of CLL Treatment through Research

The future of CLL treatment is in creating more novel therapies that are better targeted to a patient’s individual cancer.    

Under Dr. Woyach’s leadership, the OSUCCC – James is positioned to continue making significant advancements in CLL research by exploring areas that include overcoming patient resistance to therapies, working with companies to test new therapies preclinically, performing lab work to identify novel targets, and studying new immune therapies.  

This critical research is accelerated through Pelotonia funding and donations like this from The Haslam 3 Foundation.  

“The beautiful thing about Pelotonia is that the community can participate in ways most meaningful to them. Not only is CLL deeply personal to the Haslam family but it is a very promising area of cancer research in which the OSUCCC – James is a global leader,” said Ulman. “We could not be more grateful for the incredible support of Dee, Jimmy, and The Haslam 3 Foundation. This donation is going to change and save lives.”