Pelotonia

PELOTONIA

Type	Non-Profit
Founded	2008 in Columbus, Ohio
Headquarters	351 W. Nationwide Blvd. Columbus, OH 43215
Key people	Doug Ulman (President and CEO)
Website	www.pelotonia.org

Pelotonia began in 2008 as a bike ride in Columbus, Ohio to raise funds for cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James. Pelotonia, the Ride, includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. As a 501(c)3 not for profit organization, Pelotonia raises money for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

History

Due to stagnation in government funding for cancer research noted in 2008, Mike Caligiuri, Director of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center and CEO of The James Cancer Hospital and research physician, recognized the need to expand current funding. Mike Caligiuri presented the idea of a grassroots cycling event in Ohio to Cindy Hilsheimer (President of The James Cancer Hospital Foundation Board (JFB)) who sought and obtained one year of funding for the entire event from NetJets (founder Richard Santulli). Together, Mike Caligiuri, Cindy Hilsheimer (JFB), Daniel Rosenthal (NetJets), and Peter Weiler (OSU Foundation) founded Pelotonia in 2008, a 501(c)3 devoted to creating a grassroots cycling event for which 100% of funds raised would go towards cancer research with "One Goal" to find a cure for cancer. Cancer survivor Tom Lennox was hired as the first CEO and together with Mike rode 163 miles in the summer of 2008 across Cape Cod in the Pan Mass Challenge that supports the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The experience created a strong bond between the two, and Pelotonia was off and running. Following year 1 in 2009, Pelotonia has been funded in its entirety by Peggy and Richard Santulli, L-Brands, and The Huntington Bank as the three major sponsors, with additional support from Nationwide Insurance, American Electric Power, the Harold C. Schott Foundation, Cardinal Health, ScottsMiracle-Gro, and Kenyon College, along with supporting partners.

Pelotonia's operating expenses are covered by the funding partners so that 100% of every dollar raised by Pelotonia Riders, Virtual Riders and Volunteers goes directly to fund cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Pelotonia was initially funded with a five-year, $12.5 million commitment, with a goal to raise $39 million during this time period. Pelotonia raised over $61 million in its first five years. In year four, Pelotonia became the number one cycling fundraiser in America by rider numbers. In 2013, Pelotonia was ranked number 22 among the top run, walk and/or ride fundraising events in the United States

The 2013 event drew 6,723 Riders and more than 2,300 Volunteers. The slightly more than $19 million raised in 2013 brought the total raised for cancer research over the first five years of the event to more than $61 million.^[1]

On September 23, 2014 the announcement was made that Doug Ulman, the CEO of the Livestrong Foundation, would be the President and CEO of Pelotonia. Ulman, 37, was a three-time cancer survivor who had spent 14 years at LiveSTRONG turned a start-up non profit organization to an icon for cancer causes.

The James

Pelotonia funds are used to recruit and retain research talent, purchase equipment, fund research for students of all levels through the Pelotonia Fellowship program, and fund two-year faculty teams for novel research ideas aimed at the prevention and/or treatment of cancer through the Pelotonia Research Award Program.^[2]

The Pelotonia Research Award Program provides "idea" grants that allow creative teams of scientists to embark on research that could lead to discoveries resulting in better treatments and prevention strategies. To date, 108 research teams have received Pelotonia idea grants totaling millions of dollars. The teams represent collaborations among several colleges and departments, as well as three academic institutions (including Nationwide Children's Hospital). The awards are issued via a peer-review process conducted by scientists not competing for the grants. The grants cover an array of studies, from the genetics of triple-negative breast cancer to imaging of precancerous pancreatic lesions; from neurofibroma tumorigenesis and therapy to the molecular mechanisms of the body's natural killer cells against multiple myeloma; from the role of the ATF3 gene in the development and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia to genomic aberrations driving metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer).^[3]

Event format

To participate in Pelotonia, Riders sign up to bike one of several possible distances, ranging from 25 to 180 miles, with ascending mandatory minimum fundraising goals. The longest distances (100+ miles) are ridden over two days, while other Riders complete their distances on day one. Riders are responsible for a registration fee and the shortfall between their fundraising and their distance's mandatory fundraising goal, as well as their own equipment. The intent is for Riders to conduct fundraisers and solicit donations throughout the year before the event. Four or more Riders may sign up together to form a peloton, not only to ride together but to work to raise funds together as well. Additionally, pelotons may combine efforts in teams called "super pelotons," raising the profile of their collective donations and allowing for different offices, floors, or groups within corporations, communities, and institutions to work together on both the small and large scales.

Pelotonia starts with an opening ceremony on a Friday in August. On Saturday morning, all Riders leave Columbus or alternative starting locations and ride to their registered distance. Each end-point town for the routes hosts a celebration for Riders and has lodging for those completing their distances on the following day. From 2009 through 2011, the 100-mile mark city was Athens, Ohio, with festivities and lodging occurring at Ohio University. For 2012, Riders of the four longest out of six routes went to Gambier, Ohio, and Kenyon College.^[4] Currently riders of the 100-mile and 180-mile mark will travel to Kenyon College.

Virtual riders

To expand the number of people who can participate, Pelotonia instituted a "Virtual Rider" program. Virtual Riders participate in Pelotonia solely by fundraising, as opposed to riding or volunteering. Intended for those who cannot ride, or prefer not to, the Virtual Riders can still help raise money for cancer research.^[5] Their minimum fundraising amount is $100.

Results

See also

• List of health-related charity fundraisers

References