While it’s true that the need for social distancing to reduce the coronavirus threat prevented Pelotonia 2020 from holding the traditional heavily attended ride weekend, planners and participants modified the event in such a way that it remains a hugely important and effective force in the OSUCCC – James’ continuing quest to create a cancer-free world.
Pelotonia 2020, the 12th installment of this popular event, drew more than 11,000 participants under a new format called My Pelotonia, in which individuals creatively defined their own experiences and fundraising goals in lieu of the three-day ride weekend, which had been set for Aug. 7-9.
Instead, a live-streamed virtual Opening Ceremony Celebration took place on Aug. 7 to honor and celebrate the impact of the Pelotonia community, which raised $10,502,362 for Pelotonia 2020 and boosted the 12-year fundraising total to over $217 million. Fundraising for Pelotonia 2020 ended on Oct. 31.
With the My Pelotonia platform, participants set personal one-time or cumulative activities to ride, walk, run, volunteer or take part in some other activity of their choice to honor and support cancer research at the OSUCCC – James and thus embody Pelotonia’s 2020 Be Legendary campaign. My Pelotonia provided an online community for people to share their training and fundraising ideas or simply cheer one another on, while also sharing their inspirational stories of everyday “legends” pushing forward despite challenges.
Also for this year, the Pelotonia registration fee was waived along with required fundraising commitments that historically have been tied to riding distances, and there was no minimum age requirement for participants.
“Our legendary community is unwavering in Pelotonia’s goal to fund accelerated cancer research, united in a shared sense of duty to those diagnosed with this disease,” Ulman says. “While so much has changed, the need for critical research funding and the goal of Pelotonia have not. My Pelotonia is an experience that is more inclusive and personal, with more ways to participate than ever before.”
“As the global scientific community has shifted its focus to the important work of navigating through and overcoming COVID-19, it is paramount that we ensure that scientific discovery continues in cancer,” adds OSUCCC director Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, FACS. “We must maintain momentum in basic, translational, clinical and population research studies so that we can continue to improve our cancer prevention and bring new clinical therapies to our patients, which will ultimately lead to better outcomes for our community. We are grateful for the support and efforts of the Pelotonia community of riders, corporate partners, donors and volunteers.”