Each year, we honor a handful of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their support of accelerating innovative cancer research with the Pelotonia Awards. These members of the Pelotonia community are champions in the fight against cancer, embodying the relentless commitment to the mission of Ending Cancer that defines the grassroots movement. Their personal journeys are inspiring, and their extraordinary contributions deserve to celebrated. 

The Pelotonia-Funded Researcher of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a Pelotonia grant recipient. The award highlights the importance of career research funding and how support from the Pelotonia community is making a tangible difference in the work of researchers and the lives of patients. 

2025 Pelotonia-Funded Researcher of the Year Award winner: Sameek Roychowdhury, MD, PhD. 

Dr. Sameek Roychowdhury, a medical oncologist and researcher at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, exemplifies Pelotonia’s vision: research fueled by community, advancing toward a cancer-free world. A multiple-time recipient of Pelotonia Idea Grants, Dr. Roychowdhury consistently bridges the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. His work centers on precision oncology, using genetic insights to tailor treatments for each individual, bringing new hope to patients and families facing cancer.

The 2025 Pelotonia Idea Grant awarded to Dr. Roychowdhury supports the first-ever nationwide, decentralized clinical trial in oncology. This groundbreaking approach allows patients across the country to participate from their own hometowns, removing barriers to access and expanding Pelotonia’s impact to every zip code.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Roychowdhury is deeply involved in the Pelotonia community. A 15-year Rider, High Roller, and Peloton Captain of Team Buckeye – Sameek’s Geeks, he has raised more than $69,000 to date. He participated in both the 100-mile Ride Weekend route and the 25-mile route and Trail Run/Hike on Gravel Day, living the mission he advances in his research every day. 

Dr. Roychowdhury’s dedication demonstrates the transformative impact of Pelotonia funding, showing how every dollar raised becomes a seed for new ideas, new treatments, and new hope. His tireless pursuit of innovation and patient-centered care makes him a powerful example of how science and humanity move forward together. 

Congratulations to Dr. Roychowdhury on receiving the 2025 Pelotonia-Funded Researcher of the Year Award! 

The 2025 Pelotonia Awards winners were announced and celebrated at Night of Impact on November 18th. If you missed the event, you can watch the program on YouTube here. 

“We want the Pelotonia mission to continue long after our journey through life is over. Including Pelotonia in our estate plan helps continue a mission that has greatly impacted my family,” Mike said.

Their commitment not only honors the journeys of Mike and his father but also looks to the future, driven by the hope that their son, and generations to come, will inherit a world without cancer. In 2021, furthering their dedication to cancer survivorship, Mike and Megan founded Worth the Wait, a charity that empowers young adult cancer survivors on their path to parenthood by providing financial support and educational resources for fertility treatments, adoption, and surrogacy. Through their planned giving, enduring support, and advocacy, the Scherers are ensuring that the fight against cancer continues, inspiring others to give back and build a legacy of hope and progress.

For more information on the Pelotonia Legacy Society, please visit our Planned Giving page.

For years, Pelotonia’s High Rollers have exemplified generosity, passion, and a steadfast commitment to our mission. Traditionally, Pelotonia has marked their remarkable achievements with a special swag item as part of their annual Rider gift. Recently, however, thoughtful feedback was provided from the High Roller community: while these items were appreciated, they weren’t always necessary. In the spirit of listening to feedback and continually evolving our experience for the better, Pelotonia set out to reimagine the High Roller gift in a way that would powerfully reflect the values our High Rollers stand for. 

In honor of the 2024 High Rollers, Pelotonia chose to make a meaningful, community-driven impact rather than distribute physical gifts. Instead of a swag item, Pelotonia donated brand-new children’s bicycles on behalf of the entire 2024 High Roller community, ensuring that their legacy reaches far beyond the ride. 

These bikes provide an opportunity for local children in Central Ohio to more easily navigate their environment, experience the pure joy of cycling, and perhaps plant the seeds for a lifelong love of riding and philanthropy. Through the generosity of last year’s High Rollers, the simple act of giving has opened doors of opportunity and inspiration. 

All bicycles were gifted to children at Gladden Community House, a cornerstone organization in Franklinton whose mission is to strengthen the well-being of children, families, seniors, and neighborhoods in Central Ohio.

Gladden House interim CEO Matt Burns expressed how much of an impact the donations will have:

“The generous donation of the bikes to Gladden Community House has served to fill the gap in an incredible way for youth, K-12. Students are able to more easily transport themselves to and from Gladden, the local library, and local markets during the summer and will also serve to help many get to school this fall.”  

Pelotonia is excited to continue this heartfelt tradition for the 2025 High Rollers by distributing children’s bicycles at the Pelotonia Kids Linden ride.

As Eric Olsavsky, Pelotonia’s Vice President of Community Engagement & Partnerships, shared: “This shift is about making a lasting difference in honor of our High Rollers, whose unwavering spirit inspires everything we do.” 

Dennis Jacob’s journey with Pelotonia began not just as a cycling challenge, but as a deeply personal mission. In February 2016, Dennis underwent prostate cancer surgery. As he recovered, he set his sights on Pelotonia as both a goal and a symbol of hope.

“I used my first Pelotonia ride as motivation during my recovery,” Dennis said.

That same year, his boss and friend, Rick Germain, launched their company’s first Pelotonia team, offering teammates the choice between fundraising support or a gift card toward a proper road bike. Dennis, then only equipped with a hefty mountain bike, seized the opportunity for a new road bike, one that would become his steadfast companion, affectionately named “Buddy.” 

During the next six years, Dennis and Buddy logged an estimated 14,000 miles and participated in seven Pelotonia Ride Weekends, tackling at least 100 miles each year. The pair shared countless moments: cheers from the crowd, laughter with friends, and even a few tears on the toughest stretches. These rides were filled with reminders of why Pelotonia matters: Survivors, patients, and families affected by cancer.

“That bike healed me, kept me sane. It made it possible for me to ride for those who can’t, and the people who love them,” he said.  

Dennis, now a 10-Year Rider and Captain of the Germain Peloton, was gifted the bike of his dreams — a Trek Domane SLR6 — in 2023 by his brother and sister-in-law in memory of their daughter, Stevie Rae, a proud supporter of Dennis’ Pelotonia efforts. With the gifted road bike and a newly purchased gravel bike, space was getting tight, and Dennis faced a dilemma: what to do with Buddy? The answer came when he learned about the Pelotonia Bike Fleet. Although an emotional decision because Dennis had been through so much with Buddy, donating the bike meant it would continue its journey, helping others ride for a cure. 

For Dennis, giving Buddy to Pelotonia is more than a donation; it’s a continuation of a legacy of hope, healing, and community. Buddy was welcomed with excitement into a new home for the 2025 ride season! 

“Events like this give us hope for a brighter tomorrow, laying the groundwork not only for philanthropy in our youth, but also to inspire them to be future community organizers and teaching them the value of service above self,” Adam said.  

“Pelotonia is a uniquely wonderful experience, whether you’re a Rider or a spectator. Kids feel the positive energy as they watch their parents ride, and they really want to be a part of it, too. That’s why we created Pelotonia Kids Upper Arlington,” Sarah Jane said.

“We always strive to make the ride as fun and memorable as possible for the kids, while giving it the same sense of excitement and tradition as the adult ride. Riders receive their t-shirts ahead of time and arrive ready to roll. Brutus Buckeye is there to welcome them, while parents and families cheer from the sidelines,” Sarah Jane said.

Since joining Pelotonia’s mission in 2009, Huntington Bank has raised more than $45 million for innovative cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) — a remarkable achievement resulting from forward-thinking strategies that reach far beyond traditional donation drives.

“At Huntington, we believe in the power of partnership to drive purpose,” said Huntington Bank’s Chief Financial Officer Zach Wasserman.

“By engaging with our vendors, we’re able to amplify the mission of Pelotonia — accelerating cancer research and bringing hope to countless lives. Each of these collaborators plays a vital role in helping us move further, faster, together.”

“Pelotonia is integral to our culture because it brings us together for a cause greater than ourselves. It unites us in the fight against cancer and demonstrates how much we can accomplish as partners,” said Brant Standridge, Senior Executive Vice President and President of Consumer and Regional Banking at Huntington Bank.

“Partnering with Team Buckeye to organize Biking with Brutus felt like the natural next step. I work every day at The James Cancer Hospital,” Julie said.

“My husband, Summit, cares for children with cancer at Nationwide Children’s. The fact that the Kids Ride directly supports cancer research at Nationwide makes this personal for both of us — professionally and as parents.”

“Our family rides in Pelotonia every year, and now it’s our turn to help, too!” Oliver and Emmett said.

“We want to be part of the mission to cure cancer. We’ve seen how hard our parents work, and how much it matters. So, this summer, we’re riding our bikes in our own kid version of Pelotonia to raise money and show we care.”

“We hope to engage the next generation in philanthropic efforts, teaching them the importance of giving back as well as how to start an active lifestyle at a young age. Research saves lives, and we are proud to back the incredible minds who are working to put an end to cancer,” said Rachel.

“Pelotonia kids provides an opportunity for kids to make a difference. We have several families in our community who have been affected by not only pediatric cancer, but also parents who have battled cancer. This gives kids the opportunity to make a difference and support their friends and family,” said Brittany.