COLUMBUS, OH – November 14, 2019 – Pelotonia celebrated today that its riders, virtual riders and volunteers have raised more than $207 million since the inception of the organization over 11 years ago, all benefitting cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).  In 2019, the total amount raised was $23,233,695.

This announcement comes as part of a monumental year; 2019 saw the highest level of participation since inception, drawing more than 13,900 riders, virtual riders, and volunteers spread across nearly 340 peloton teams.  Over the 11-year history, more than 30,000 unique riders have participated, and donations have been received from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

This evening, Pelotonia celebrated by hosting a family-friendly event at COSI called A Night of Impact. The event highlighted the many areas of impact Pelotonia is having on advancing cancer research, which included many of the Pelotonia-funded researchers sharing their work, as well as a scavenger hunt to reveal the 2019 fundraising total. The event included a brief program, lab and science experiments, a Pelotonia Fellow booth, an Art of Science exhibit, and an ask the doctor booth. Each of these activations demonstrated how funds are being used for life-saving cancer research.

“Tonight, we celebrate not only surpassing $207 million in fundraising, but also the incredible accomplishments of every rider, virtual rider, volunteer, partner, donor and community member coming together for one goal,” said Doug Ulman, Pelotonia President and CEO. “Between creating the new Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology to fund ground-breaking research and surpassing over 30,000 unique riders since the beginning of our organization, this year marks our most impactful year yet. I’m truly in awe of what the Pelotonia community has done and continues to do.”

Pelotonia also announced the renewal of multi-year pledges for operational funding support from Huntington Bank and the L Brands Foundation. As major funding partners, they, along with American Electric Power Foundation and Peggy and Richard Santulli, allow Pelotonia to maintain the commitment that 100% of all rider-raised funds can be directed to cancer research.

“Simply put, if it wasn’t for the commitment of major funding partners, the Pelotonia experience would be quite different,” said Pelotonia Board Chairman Daniel Rosenthal. “We thank all of our funding partners, as well as anyone who has ever participated in or donated to Pelotonia. We are transforming the cancer research landscape and we couldn’t make this impact without the efforts of this entire community.”

2019 was the most impactful year to date for Pelotonia, capped off by the Pelotonia community’s pledge of $102,265,000 to establish the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. This five-year-pledge will ensure a successful foundation for the research that supports the next frontier in cancer treatment. The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology will focus exclusively on this innovative area of research that harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer and is redefining how cancer is prevented, detected and treated in the United States.

For more information on Pelotonia, please visit pelotonia.org. To read more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org/impact or pelotonia.org/institute.

Founded in 2008, Pelotonia was established with the objective to fund life-saving cancer research. As a centerpiece of its year-round fundraising efforts, Pelotonia hosts a three-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Since its founding, Pelotonia has raised over $207 million for cancer research. Thanks to its generous funding partners – American Electric Power Foundation, Huntington Bank, L Brands Foundation, Peggy and Richard Santulli, Harold C. Schott Foundation, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill Capital Management and Nationwide – Pelotonia is able to direct 100 percent of every dollar raised by its participants to cancer research at the OSUCCC-James and the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. For more information, visit pelotonia.org or tune in to our podcast ONE GOAL.