How Pelotonia supports cancer research at Ohio State

Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, has a very personal connection to Pelotonia-funded research. The annual fundraising bicycle ride provided the initial funding for Acalabrutinib — "the drug that’s keeping me alive," says the director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Pollock — who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia — describes Pelotonia’s funding of research, recruitment and screening as “the sweat equity” of the thousands of Pelotonia riders, volunteers and donors. Pelotonia has raised more than $220 million since its first ride, with those funds used to support research at the OSUCCC – James. The impact of all this research has gained momentum and expanded every year.

“The entire Pelotonia Institute of Immuno-Oncology recruitment of 30 to 35 new faculty members, at its maturity, would not have been possible without the $105 million funding commitment from Pelotonia,” Pollock says, citing a prominent example of the ride’s impact at Ohio State.

Pollock provides more info about Pelotonia’s impact at The James on our Cancer-Free World Podcast. Listen via the video player above, or on SoundCloud.

Pelotonia has also funded scores of peer-reviewed idea grants, with a focus on providing the resources for younger scientists to gather the initial data they need to then apply for and win larger grants from entities such as the National Cancer Institute. “Each of the Pelotonia dollars invested in these researchers will generate five to 10 times that amount, over time, from external funding,” Pollock says.

More than 500 Pelotonia Fellowships have been awarded to undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral and medical-school students, creating the next generation of cancer physicians and researchers. The annual ride has also funded four statewide screening programs focused on colorectal, endometrial, lung and breast cancers. These programs have targeted underserved populations throughout the state.

“Pelotonia has been remarkable in terms of its scope and magnitude, and the means in which it brings together so many dedicated participants from the community, and it connects them to the research efforts at our cancer center,” Pollock says.