Behind The Scenes
Share the Real Impact of Pelotonia Dollars in Your Fundraising
By The Pelotonia Team|September 19, 2025
Every dollar raised through Pelotonia fuels innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James that is saving lives and creating hope. From recruiting the brightest scientific minds, to funding groundbreaking treatments, to supporting the next generation of researchers, the Pelotonia community is driving progress that once felt impossible.
Use examples of real impact as you ask friends, family, and colleagues to join you in this mission. Sharing concrete examples of how Pelotonia dollars make a difference can help inspire generosity.
Below are highlights from the 2024 Impact Report in simple bullets that you can copy and paste into your fundraising communications with donors, asking for their support.
Each section also includes a simple starting message that you can tailor to your own voice but gives you a starting place to share these impact examples.
Recruiting Top Talent
“Pelotonia dollars help Ohio State to recruit some of the brightest minds and talented scientists who are passionate about using big ideas to tackle the toughest challenges in cancer today. They are making the future brighter with your support. For example...”
- More than 290 top scientists have been recruited to the OSUCCC – James since 2010 thanks to Pelotonia funding.
- Pelotonia funding helped recruit world-renowned cancer experts like Dr. Christian Rolfo, who is advancing new treatments for lung cancer.
- Dr. Susan Tsai is leading precision medicine trials for pancreatic cancer, improving treatment selection for patients facing one of the toughest diagnoses.
- Dr. Glen Barber, a leader in immunotherapy, was recruited with Pelotonia support and just won Germany’s top medical research prize.
Funding Innovative Ideas & Early Discoveries
“Your support helps turn donations into millions in national research grants. A huge return on investment — and lives saved. For example...”
- Pelotonia Idea Grants provided early funding that helped Dr. Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate secure a $3.53M National Cancer Institute grant to study pancreatic cancer.
- Researchers are testing a new CAR T-cell therapy that targets three cancer proteins at once, offering new hope for patients with resistant B-cell cancers.
- Since 2010, Pelotonia has invested $31.5M in 221 Idea Grants, sparking early discoveries across 11 The Ohio State University colleges and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Tools & Technology
“Innovative technology is improving cancer detection and care, and Pelotonia dollars directed toward advancing these tools are helping make an impact for patients today. For example...”
- Funding supported a new Olympus Research Slide Scanner to give scientists at the OSUCCC – James sharper, faster tools for analyzing cancer tissue.
- Pelotonia-backed research at OSUCCC – James helped accelerate Total Cancer Care®, a pioneering protocol that tracks patient outcomes to improve treatments.
- Cutting-edge digital pathology tools funded by Pelotonia are making cancer diagnosis faster and more precise at the OSUCCC – James.
New Treatments & Therapies
“Breakthroughs are happening now: new drugs, new therapies, new hope for cancer patients. That’s what your gift to Pelotonia powers. For example..."
- A new Ohio State–developed drug (JBZ-001) is entering its first human trial, bringing a homegrown discovery from lab to patient care.
- Pelotonia support helped open Central Ohio’s first Proton Therapy Center at the OSUCCC – James, offering highly targeted radiation with fewer side effects.
- To date, more than 100 patients from 6 states have been treated at the new Proton Therapy Center.
Training the Next Generation
“With support from generous people like you, Pelotonia invests in scholarships to train future cancer researchers across various levels. That’s the kind of impact your donation can have on a cancer-free future. For example...”
- Each year, Pelotonia invests $2M in student scholarships, training the next generation of cancer researchers.
- The Pelotonia Scholars Program has funded 712 students from 53 countries and 36 states.
- Dr. Alice Mims, once a Pelotonia Scholar, is now leading new therapies for acute myeloid leukemia at the OSUCCC – James.
Immunotherapy & the PIIO
“Immunotherapy represents the next frontier of cancer treatment and Pelotonia is helping advance this groundbreaking care. This treatment harnesses the immune system, expands it, and then unleashes it against the cancer. Your dollars can continue this progress. For example...”
- The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), launched with a $102M pledge, has already recruited 124 scientists and launched 254 immunotherapy trials.
- A Nature-published study funded with support from Pelotonia revealed that bladder tumors missing the Y chromosome may respond better to immunotherapy.
- Pelotonia-funded researchers at the OSUCCC – James secured over $43M in annual grant funding in 2024, multiplying donors’ dollars into nationwide impact.
Prevention & Statewide Impact
"Pelotonia isn’t just about research; it’s about prevention programs saving lives across Ohio and beyond. Your gift makes it possible. For example...”
- The “Turning the Page on Breast Cancer” initiative, funded by Pelotonia, is addressing disparities for Black women who face a 42% higher death rate from the disease in Ohio.
- Pelotonia funding supports statewide cancer prevention programs in colorectal, uterine, lung, and breast cancers — improving early detection across Ohio.
When you share examples like these in your fundraising outreach, donors see the direct connection between their gift and lives saved. Together, we are building a future without cancer — one mile, one dollar, and one discovery at a time.
Looking for a few more ways to ask for support? Below are simple messages that you can use, or adjust based on your personal story:
- “This is my XX year riding in Pelotonia. Join me by making a gift to help fund the next breakthroughs in cancer research.”
- “I’m riding in Pelotonia to honor [Name]. Your gift supports groundbreaking research and gives hope to families like mine.”
- “I’m humbled by the support of friends and family as I ride in Pelotonia. Every gift fuels hope. Will you join us?”
- “I ride because almost everyone knows someone impacted by cancer. Your donation fuels hope and real progress.”
- “I’m continually in awe of the progress happening in cancer research through my involvement with Pelotonia. And the best part is that we, as a community, are making that work go faster, truly saving and changing lives today — and for generations to come. Will you join me in Ending Cancer by giving to Pelotonia?”
Use these messages and additional fundraising resources on our website and in the community asset kit to maximize your fundraising impact through the 2025 deadline of October 15!
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