Conquering cancer will require better treatments and prevention strategies based on sound scientific research, and research requires money. Lots of it.
In these difficult economic times, when government funding for cancer research is harder to come by, we have to find other ways to support our dream.
Each summer, thousands of people — some of whom haven’t ridden a bicycle for decades — take to the roads with one goal: to end cancer. Pelotonia, an annual grassroots cycling tour between Columbus and Athens, Ohio, has attracted riders from throughout Ohio and across the nation. In its first two years, Pelotonia raised a combined $12.3 million, every cent of which supports cancer research at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
Everyone associated with Pelotonia is investing in a cancer-free world, and I want to share with you the impact that thousands of cyclists and tens of thousands of donors are having on cancer research. Arthur G. James, MD, for whom our hospital is named, once said he didn’t know how long it would take to realize the dream of a world without cancer, but he was sure the day is coming. Efforts like Pelotonia are bringing it closer.
On behalf of the entire OSUCCC – James family, I wish to thank all of the riders, donors and volunteers who make possible the work we do every day. See you on next year’s ride!
Michael A. Caligiuri, MD
Director, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
CEO, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute