COLUMBUS, Ohio — A popular bike ride fundraiser is committing about $102 million over five years to support cancer research at Ohio State University and create a new institute focused on research about using the body's immune system to fight cancer.
The nonprofit Pelotonia and the school announced the donation and the creation of the Pelotonia Institute of Immuno-Oncology on Friday.
The Columbus Dispatch reports Pelotonia has raised more than $194 million since 2009 for Ohio State's cancer center. The cancer center is committing an additional $35 million to the new institute.
The institute's founding director, Dr. Zihai Li, told the newspaper the Pelotonia donation is critical because federal money for cancer research has been stagnant.
The bike ride began a decade ago and draws thousands of cyclists each year.