Team for a Cure: Peddling with Pelotonia for Cancer Research
By Matthew Henderson
Did I participate again this year? Absolutely!
Pelotonia is an Ohio-based cycling experience that raises money for cancer research performed at the Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Commonly referred to as the James, the institute is a national leader in creating and testing new therapies based on scientific research, many of which are offered nowhere else in the world. Pelotonia is on a mission to help the James end cancer and directs 100% of every dollar raised to research – not administration costs.
I learned about Pelotonia from my mom in January 2009 as my dad’s condition with cancer advanced. I decided to participate because I wanted to do something. I felt helpless against cancer as I watched it work firsthand. My dad received nearly eight years of treatment at the James. Last year my mom and I together raised over $5,000 from friends and family. However, my mom was unable to ride last year.
This year was different.
My mom and I were joined by two friends as we rode together: 47, 102 and 180-miles. I completed the 180-miles from Columbus to Athens and back again on Sunday. Thousands of volunteers, cancer-survivors, and James patients lined the course to cheer riders like me up the steep Hocking Hills and down the slick road-ways. To sum up my entire Pelotonia10 experience there can only be one word: Humbling.
If you would like to support me in our cause, please donate here.
Pelotonia’s first year was in 2009 and raised $4.5 million for the James. This year, participation doubled with more than 4,000 riders and $8 million raised for the James.
