COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 29, 2024) – Pelotonia today announced the launch of Pelotonia Kids, a series of kids cycling events to engage the next generation of Pelotonia participants. In collaboration with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC—James), 100 percent of every Pelotonia Kids participant-raised dollar will be directed to innovative pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

The program launches with five kids ride events beginning in June with plans to add more this year. Each will be organized by Pelotonia community volunteers with assistance provided by the organization, including planning resources, equipment rentals, merchandise and promotional support. Events will vary in participant ages, route distances and venue locations.  

Prior to this launch, children under 14 years old could register to fundraise as Challengers but were unable to participate as Riders in Pelotonia’s annual cycling events, Ride Weekend and Gravel Day. This new program gives children the opportunity to participate in Pelotonia event experiences through both fundraising and cycling at a younger age.  

“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.” 

Funds will be directed to research that could improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for pediatric cancer patients by leading investigators and physicians at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The OSUCCC—James has a collaborative agreement with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to broaden the study of childhood cancer and accelerate the transfer of key research findings to the clinical setting. The relationship between institutions is stimulating novel research and developing collaborations in pediatric cancer-related studies that will also have applications to adults.  

“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.”  

There are more than 500,000 childhood cancer survivors in the U.S., and 47 children are newly diagnosed with cancer every day. Through research advancements, prognoses have improved dramatically for some pediatric cancer types and cancer mortality rates among children have decreased in recent decades. However, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children today, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,800 kids each year in the U.S.  

“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." 

Though critically needed, childhood cancer research is significantly underfunded by the federal government. Organizations like Pelotonia help address that gap through investing in innovative ideas and talented researchers that may otherwise go unfunded. Pelotonia Kids dollars may go toward accelerating clinical research as well as studies on the psychosocial factors of pediatric cancer. The Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is part of The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, one of the top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. 

Prior to this launch, Pelotonia community teams have hosted youth rides as fundraising events. Four existing rides are returning in 2024 within the new Pelotonia Kids program, and the fundraising done by participating children will now go toward research for childhood cancers.  

“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.” 

Youth participants can register for 2024 Pelotonia Kids rides at pelotoniakids.com, including: 

Donors can give to Pelotonia Kids to support innovative pediatric cancer research at pelotoniakids.com.