Investment will fuel Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) research at the OSUCCC—James

“I love Pelotonia’s mission and it is an honor to be able to positively impact their efforts,” said Dee Haslam. “We have all been touched by cancer and that is why awareness and research is so important. The way that Pelotonia brings the entire community together for such a critical cause has been tremendous and we are inspired by their transformative work.”

“Pelotonia offers hope for so many people impacted by cancer, including my own family,” said 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.”

“As I’ve spent time with Dee and Jimmy over the last few years, they were eager to understand how Pelotonia was making such a big impact not only on research but in engaging the community in such 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. It’s clear they are big thinkers and have a vision for the difference they want to make. The collective Columbus community is grateful for their impact on our city and beyond. We are thankful to have the Haslams as part of the Pelotonia community and for their investment in furthering our mission of ending cancer.”

Investment for CLL Patients Today and the Future

“I have a family member with CLL who is very symptomatic and know others who are fighting through this disease, so my hope is that our investment through Pelotonia helps the research for CLL treatment go quicker,” said Haslam.

“I learned that Pelotonia-funded research at the OSUCCC—James is working to find new and novel therapies for CLL. Doug and Pelotonia made the introduction for us to Dr. Woyach and Ohio State. It was remarkable to learn about the CLL expertise and breakthroughs in treatments right in our backyard in Columbus. Getting to know Dr. Woyach is such a gift. CLL is her passion; it’s what drives her. If you’re going to invest in research for something that you really care about, you want it to be done by someone with the background and qualifications that she has.”

“At the OSUCCC—James, we are very excited to use this investment both to strengthen our current work in advancing CLL research and to allow us to go into new directions to benefit CLL patients,” said Woyach. “There has been remarkable progress in CLL over the past decade, but there remain areas of unmet clinical need. 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.”

Advancements in CLL Treatment with Pelotonia Funding

“Pelotonia has been instrumental in the transformation of CLL treatment. The philanthropy that fuels Pelotonia allows us to do novel work that otherwise wouldn’t be funded,” said Woyach. “Pelotonia enables research with higher risk but higher reward. In this case, the risk really paid off and we have the reward of great therapies for patients at The James and around the world.”

“As a cancer surgeon and CLL survivor, I am humbled by this donation from the Haslam 3 Foundation to Pelotonia that will help discover the next frontiers in CLL treatment,” said Pollock. “I am deeply grateful to the Haslam family and The Haslam 3 Foundation for their investment in this critical science. Philanthropic donations power cancer research and lead to breakthroughs like the CLL treatment that saved my life.”

Future of CLL Treatment through Research

“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.”

Watch the video announcement on the Pelotonia YouTube channel!

Series of Youth Cycling Events will Engage Next Generation of Pelotonia Participants

“Children in the Pelotonia community are among our most enthusiastic spectators and fundraisers, and the launch of Pelotonia Kids gives them the opportunity to be more actively engaged participants,” said Joe Apgar, Pelotonia CEO and cancer survivor.

“Pelotonia Kids is a collaboration with two of the most renowned hospitals and research centers in the U.S. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside both the OSUCCC – James and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, who are leading the way in scientific research and care to save and extend the lives of cancer patients, including children.”

“The OSUCCC—James is proud to collaborate with Pelotonia to launch youth cycling experiences for a meaningful impact on creating a cancer-free world,” said Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, director of OSUCCC and cancer survivor. “Breakthroughs in science happen faster when there is a shared goal and collaboration. Pelotonia Kids leverages the long-standing relationship between the OSUCCC—James and Nationwide Children’s Hospital to accelerate research on innovative and alternative treatments for childhood cancer patients and survivors.”

“Not only will this collaboration with the OSUCCC—James and Pelotonia create a fun, new program, it will make a real difference in the lives of children,” said Tim Robinson, Nationwide Children’s Hospital CEO. “Pelotonia Kids will help accelerate Nationwide Children’s groundbreaking research, making an impact on patients in central Ohio and around the world.”

“The many community members who have supported the original kids rides within the Pelotonia community used creativity and intention to engage youth in fundraising. Their efforts laid the foundation for this new Pelotonia Kids platform, inspiring our youngest advocates to take action in advancing our mission of ending cancer,” said Apgar.

“We look forward to seeing others embrace this experience as new hosts step up to organize kids rides and bring the grassroots Pelotonia experience to children across various communities.”

• June 15: Pedal for Pancakes, Capital University in Bexley (hosted by Team Bexley)
• July 6: Pelotonia Kids UA, Jones Middle School in Upper Arlington (hosted Sarah Jane and Paul Germain)
• July 27: SpokesKIDS Jr., Wildwood Park in Granville (hosted by Team Granville Spokesmen for a Cure peloton members)
• July 27: SpokesKIDS, Newark to Granville (hosted by Team Granville Spokesmen for a Cure peloton members)
• TBA: Building Brighter Futures, Plain City (hosted by M/I Homes, Inc.)

“Our community continues to be inspired by and immensely grateful for the commitment of the generous funding partners that make it possible for 100 percent of funds raised by Pelotonia participants to go directly toward innovative cancer research that has fueled progress, driven breakthroughs and saved lives,” said Joe Apgar, Pelotonia CEO. “It’s because of new and long-time funding partners that Pelotonia can continue its significant impact and help save even more lives.”

“At Ariel Corporation, we believe that our people and community are central to our success, and we have consistently invested in the health and wellbeing of our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism,” said Alex Wright, Ariel Corporation CEO. “The team at Ariel Corporation has long admired the dedication of the Pelotonia community to its critical mission of ending cancer.  This mission is near to our hearts, and we’re proud to support both this incredible grassroots movement and their world-class research partners.”

 “This partnership with Pelotonia is a natural alignment for our community work through The Barbasol Foundation. Cancer touches far too many lives, but I’ve seen firsthand the inspiring impact of the Pelotonia community on ending cancer through my personal experience as a long-time participant,” said Barbasol COO Andrew Fast. “At Barbasol, we are excited to partner with Pelotonia in accelerating innovative cancer research both as a funding partner and through co-branded products that will bring additional awareness to Pelotonia’s mission.”

Ride Weekend and Gravel Day Events Offer Cycling, Volunteer and Community Experiences to Raise Funds for Ending Cancer

“Registering for Pelotonia is not just a commitment to raise funds for groundbreaking research at Ohio State. It’s the chance to join an inspired community committed to ending cancer – a disease that affects us all,” said Joe Apgar, Pelotonia CEO.

“Every single Rider, Volunteer and Challenger who registers for Pelotonia 2024 is important to continue the momentum of this movement. The efforts of Pelotonia participants are fueling real, tangible progress for cancer patients and families throughout the country and around the world.”

Ride Weekend

• 20-Mile Route: Downtown Columbus to New Albany
• 50-Mile Route: Downtown Columbus to New Albany
• 65-Mile Route: New Albany to Gambier
• 100-Mile Route: Downtown Columbus to Gambier

• 35-Mile Route: New Albany Loop

• 155-Mile Route: Saturday 65-Mile Route and Sunday 90-Mile Gambier to New Albany Route with overnight stay at Kenyon College
• 190-Mile Route: Saturday 100-Mile Route and Sunday 90-Mile Gambier to New Albany Route with overnight stay at Kenyon College
• Any Saturday Route and 35-Mile Loop

Second Annual Gravel Day

• 22-Mile Route: Nelsonville Loop; More than 1,400 feet total elevation gain
• 30-Mile Route: Nelsonville Loop; More than 2,600 feet total elevation gain
• 52-Mile Route: Nelsonville Loop; More than 4,700 feet total elevation gain

Volunteers

Launch Party, March 1

“We are very excited about this new leadership structure and believe it sets us up for continued momentum and even greater collective impact on cancer research at The Ohio State University,” said Pelotonia Board Chair Bobby Schottenstein, who is also Chairman and CEO of M/I Homes, Inc.

“Doug’s leadership as CEO over the last decade has been extraordinary; Doug has inspired the Pelotonia community and propelled growth of this grassroots movement. In becoming Vice Chair, Doug will provide greater focus on new partnerships and other strategic initiatives designed to further leverage the Pelotonia brand and grow fundraising,” Schottenstein added. “Joe has been a strong leader since he joined Pelotonia seven years ago. Joe is respected and admired by the Pelotonia community, and is deeply motivated by his personal experience as a cancer survivor.”

“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the incredible Pelotonia community; I am excited to continue my service in a new and expanded role and I could not be more thrilled that Joe Apgar will be stepping in as our next CEO,” said Ulman.

“Joe is a phenomenal leader; he cares so deeply about the experience of every member of this community and has big goals and a vision to match. As a cancer survivor and 13-year Pelotonia rider, Joe’s passion for our mission is unrivaled. I am most excited about Joe’s commitment to connecting the research impact to the community and to elevating Pelotonia’s experiences in innovative, exciting ways. As I continue to collaborate closely with Joe in my new role, I look forward to witnessing all that he and our entire Pelotonia team will achieve moving forward.”

“I am grateful to the Board for their leadership and vision, and their confidence in me and our team as we keep pushing Pelotonia to new heights. Doug has been a friend and mentor since he recruited me to join Pelotonia in 2016. I look forward to our ongoing, powerful partnership as I become CEO,” said Apgar.

“I’ve been a patient of The James since 2008, where I witnessed the start of Pelotonia as a cancer survivor and I continue to experience their world-class care firsthand. The Pelotonia community has so much momentum today, and I am more excited than ever to continue accelerating breakthroughs and discoveries at the OSUCCC-James for cancer patients around the world. I am humbled and honored for this opportunity.”

“Pelotonia has achieved what few initially thought was possible,” said OSUCCC Director and Pelotonia Board Member Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD.

“From the renowned work of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology to the recent opening of the Pelotonia Research Center, we continue to achieve results and accelerate discoveries at an exciting pace. Our collective work is only just beginning, and I am excited to witness the continued impact the Pelotonia community will have with this strong leadership structure in place.”