Pelotonia announced today a collaboration with First Watch, the Daytime Dining concept serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, to accelerate innovative cancer research for children through its kids menus. In Ohio, First Watch is proud to now donate 25 cents from every kids meal sold to Pelotonia Kids to support innovative pediatric cancer research.    

Pelotonia Kids is a series of youth cycling events designed to inspire and engage the next generation of Pelotonia participants. In collaboration with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), 100 percent of every Pelotonia Kids participant-raised dollar is directed to innovative pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  

Pelotonia Kids launched in 2024 to provide children with the opportunity to participate in Pelotonia event experiences through fundraising and cycling at a younger age. In 2025, there were 11 community-organized Pelotonia Kids rides across Ohio, and the program has raised more than $252,000 to date for innovative pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  

“Pelotonia Kids is all about bringing families together for fun, community-driven events that inspire the next generation to make a difference, and it’s exciting to see its continued growth,” said Joe Apgar, CEO of Pelotonia and cancer survivor. “We’re grateful to collaborate with First Watch to turn something as simple as a family meal into meaningful support for pediatric cancer research.” 

The new First Watch kids menu featuring this Pelotonia Kids collaboration launched on February 10 with cycling-themed designs and fun activities for children dining in the restaurants. Throughout 2026, every kids meal purchased in First Watch Ohio locations directly supports pediatric cancer research through Pelotonia Kids, benefiting children and families in local communities and beyond. 

“Supporting our local community is at the core of who we are at First Watch,” said David Gaines, Vice President at First Watch, overseeing all Ohio locations. “We’re proud to partner with Pelotonia Kids to help advance critical pediatric cancer research that’s making a real difference right here at home. It means a lot to turn everyday meals into something that truly helps local kids and families in our community.” 

Participating restaurants include all 49 First Watch locations across the state of Ohio. Families wishing to support Pelotonia Kids through this kids menu collaboration can visit firstwatch.com/locations to find the nearest location. 

Pelotonia Kids 2026 event dates will be announced this spring. To learn more about Pelotonia Kids, visit pelotonia.org/get-involved/pelotonia-kids. 

Registration for Pelotonia 2026, which includes participation options for those 14 years and older, will open on March 4 for Ride Weekend on August 1-2 and Gravel Day on October 3.  

For more information and to learn about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org/impact.   

This annual Impact Report is a collaboration between Pelotonia and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) and honors the Pelotonia community’s passion for and belief in our mission of Ending Cancer this past year and beyond. Throughout its pages, you’ll discover highlights from Pelotonia’s community events, participant stories, innovative initiatives for increased impact, the vision of the OSUCCC – James, and many examples of research impact stories at the OSUCCC – James, made possible with the support of the Pelotonia community.

2025 was a record-breaking fundraising year for Pelotonia, thanks to how this community rallied together. Tens of thousands of participants, donors, partners, supporters, and researchers united, contributing their time and energy to accelerate innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James through Pelotonia.

We hope the content within this impact report celebrates everyone who has made Pelotonia possible to date, and will inspire even more to participate in 2026 as registration opens on March 4.

This is also a great resource for Pelotonia participants to use in their fundraising efforts, as every single dollar raised makes a difference with 100% directed to innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James. Keep an eye on our Fundraising Resources page as we add more tools and templates for participants to use the 2025 Impact Report in 2026 fundraising!

Read highlights from the report below, and click to view or download the full 2025 Impact Report!

February 4 is World Cancer Day, a moment to honor those touched by cancer and unite to improve the future of cancer care.

Pelotonia is proud to participate in the first-ever Ohio State Cancer Giving Challenge from today through February 11.  

This campus-wide effort aims to accelerate cancer research and care at the OSUCCC – James. Consider supporting this campaign, which gives Pelotonia participants the opportunity to kick off their 2026 fundraising early before registration opens on March 4. 

Your participation this week will help further our collective impact on Ending Cancer as 100% of every dollar raised will be directed to innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James.

Will you join the challenge?

To kick off your Pelotonia 2026 fundraising early before registration opens on March 4, we encourage participants to share their Pelotonia profile link with donors. This allows participants to fundraise at any point throughout the year (including now before 2026 registration opens). If you receive donations to your Pelotonia profile during this challenge, you will see those donations accounted for in your fundraising total once you register on or after March 4.