COVID-19 is changing everything in 2020, and Pelotonia is no exception. While the traditional three-day biking event is on hiatus, the Pelotonia community isn’t taking any time off, kicking into high gear through My Pelotonia, a new initiative that allows participants to raise funds for The James through their own efforts. Among the Pelotonia team members creating their own fundraising plans is Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC). Pollock, a renowned sarcoma specialist and cancer survivor, has firsthand knowledge of Pelotonia’s impact on treatment innovation, joining a clinical trial for a groundbreaking leukemia drug developed at The James. Read on as Pollock explains why it’s so important that the Greatest Team Ever continues its unrivaled support of The James, even during these unprecedented times. Doctor, leader, survivor “I have a unique perspective on the importance of Pelotonia’s support because I’m also a cancer survivor, directly impacted by the research conducted at the OSUCCC. As director, I see firsthand the importance of funding basic, translational, clinical and population cancer research that will ultimately lead to better outcomes for our community by creating more survivors. And as a survivor myself, I am gratefully aware that life after a diagnosis is made possible by these research efforts.” Unparalleled impact “My survivorship has depended upon innovative cancer research efforts, so on a very personal level, I’m grateful to work closely with organizations like Pelotonia, which commits 100% of every rider-raised dollar to cancer research at Ohio State. Since 2009, Pelotonia has raised more than $212 million for high-risk, high-reward research that can lead to significant additional funding investments and, eventually, proven treatments that dramatically improve people’s lives.” Critical clinical care “It came as a surprise to be diagnosed as having chronic lymphocytic leukemia after emergency surgery at The James. Pelotonia helped fund the first clinical trials at Ohio State to test ibrutinib, the drug that I now take twice daily. Ibrutinib works by blocking specific growth signals on the surface of leukemia cells that enable these cells to survive and grow. This therapy has remarkably improved my personal situation. Although I still have active disease in the central part of my body, I am living nearly symptom-free. “I will continue to take this drug, in all likelihood for the rest of my life. Thanks to Pelotonia’s initial investment that led to this groundbreaking therapy, I am now able to live in balance with my cancer while pursuing my deep personal aspirations to care for cancer patients — a possibility that would have been improbable just a decade ago.” My Pelotonia “Pelotonia won’t be able to hold to their traditional rosters of activity this year due to the pandemic, but there are many other activities that are possible through My Pelotonia, a participant-driven model that encourages cancer advocates to define their own goals. For my Pelotonia, I’ve committed to walking 100 miles during the summer and to team up with my family to extend that effort to the kitchen, where we’ll try out new, healthy recipes.” Celebrate the Greatest Team Ever virtually by watching Pelotonia’s “Legends LIVE” stream on Friday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Click for the details.