July felt both long and short for us. It feels like just last week that we were kicking off the Create Your Own 328 virtual ride, and yesterday we were traveling from Cleveland to Cincinnati with our four-day, in-person riders.
But, of course, it wasn’t. Now, we’ve reached the end of July, and it’s time to ring our virtual bells, whistles, and cheer as our CYO328 riders finish up their month-long journey to ride and raise money to support the Cleveland Hope Lodge.
We are so proud of you – the riders who headed out without fanfare or support to ride 5, 10, 15, or 50 miles at a time – all the while continuing to appeal to potential donors. To all of you we shout out:
YAY! YOU DID IT! CONGRATULATIONS! THANK YOU!
Create Your Own 328 Riders: We’d love to see any photos you have to share from your rides during the month. Please email them to panohiohoperide@gmail.com at your convenience.
And, remember, fundraising book doesn’t close until Thursday, August 31, 2023, to allow everyone a chance to get those last donations and matches submitted for the 2023 Pan Ohio Hope Ride at pohr.org.
p.s. Raised $3,000 or more, and you’re automatically entered in the drawing for a chance to win a VBT Bicycle Vacation to Arizona.
When it comes to life, endurance athlete Nickie Luse doesn’t just “tri,” she triumphs! Join us in congratulating this member of team Up and Running and a Pan Ohio Hope Ride Champion of Hope on joining our 2023 Dynamo Club.
With support from her generous donors, Nickie reached her personal challenge to raise $5,000, $1,000 for each of her five years as a cancer survivor, earning her admittance to our Dynamo Club.
“I’m thankful I’m a survivor. Without my family, my friends, and my community that extends but is not limited to the American Cancer Society, I wouldn’t be a 5 year survivor,” Nickie says. “All of the money from this ride stays right in Ohio – going to the Hope Lodge in Cleveland, Ohio. I know first hand the stress of traveling for cancer treatment. The Hope Lodge houses families dealing with cancer as family members receive their care at the Cleveland Clinic.”
Because of incredible fundraisers like Nickie, the Cleveland Hope Lodge is able to host cancer patients and their caregivers at no charge throughout their treatment here, mitigating not only the mental and emotional stress of finding accommodations but alleviating some of the fiscal barriers to care that impact cancer patients and their families.
“Why do I want to pedal and take part in the Pan Ohio Ride this July? Yes, for my own mental health, but also so more folks have brighter futures like myself.”
Thank you, Nickie, for being a champion of hope for cancer patients. For being a fundraising Dynamo, of course, but also for demonstrating through your life day-to-day as “Nickie Luse – Pro Triathlete” that it is possible to not only survive but to thrive after cancer.
Congratulations, on celebrating five years cancer free this year AND on reaching your personal goal of raising $5,000 for cancer patients through the 2023 Pan Ohio Hope Ride.
Tony Kellerman, center, and some of the Cincinnati Cycle Dawgs (Pan Ohio Hope Ride 2021)
We didn’t have an opportunity before the Hope Ride to share this article in the Cincinnati Patch, featuring Tony Kellerman and his involvement in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride. It’s well worth reading.
Thank you, Tony, for sharing and being such a dynamic supporter of the event — past, present, and future!
The article notes that his team’s goal is to raise $50,000 this year. As of this post, the Cincinnati Cycle Dawgs have raised $54,496! GREAT JOB, Cycle Dawgs!!
REMEMBER, fundraising is open through August 31, 2023. Keep on raising money or, if you’re not a participant, please donate at pohr.org today!
Congratulations to Tedd Wilcox, captain of the Fry Pierates, on achieving 2023 Pan Ohio Hope Ride Dynamo Club status, hot on the heels of his wife Sandy! Fueled by fry pies and a passion to make a difference, Tedd is a 14-year Pan Ohio participant – that adds up to a lot of miles logged and dollars raised in the fight against cancer!
Like many of us, Tedd has a long list of people he remembers as he rides. He celebrates the survivors – his wife Sandy, his mother-in-law, and one of his best friends, and he honors the memory of those he’s lost – including both of his parents, his grandmother, and several other family members and friends.
Tedd is known for his kind, generous, and fun-loving spirit, as he and Sandy are quick to welcome new riders and guide them through their first Pan Ohio experience. Rides with him and his crew are often a search for treasures like the best baked goods along the route and the best beer stop at the finish!
But while he has fun along the way, Tedd never loses sight of his quest to make cancer walk the plank.
Congratulations, Tedd, on making the Wilcox home a Double Dynamo household! And thank you for the passion and dedication you bring to our event year after year.
POHR participants become Dynamo Club members when they reach and exceed $5,000 in funds raised to support the mission of the American Cancer Society to end cancer as we know it, for everyone!
Sean McClain, participating this year as a Create Your Own 328 rider, has been a fixture around the American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride since he joined the event in 2011. He has been both rider and volunteer, including a stint as the event’s co-chair.
A friend of Sean’s, Mike Hammontree, told me about this event as both were endeavoring to make some major lifestyle changes to improve their health.
“His friend, Adam Kuhn, passed away from cancer, and this was his (Mike’s) way to be healthier and to fight back against cancer,” says Sean. “In turn, my grandfather died of cancer back in 2001 and my grandmother in 2009. I personally witnessed my grandmother pass away. That is something that stays with you. So this became my way to honor them as well as to become healthier.”
In those early years, several people Sean knew faced cancer – some survived, some did not.
“I felt this was a calling to be further entrenched with the event and raise funds for the ACS and be that advocate for those fighting cancer. As the years have gone on, more people I knew became affected by cancer, either directly or indirectly.”
As the four-day ride wrapped up in 2019, fundraising was closing in on the $1 million mark – something it had never done before.
“I wanted to help get us there, so I came up with something called the “Five Ohio Hope Ride,” where I would ride a least five miles everyday in the month of August to keep on raising money,” Sean explains. “We were able to get to $1 million raised so it became a push to get to Dynamo for the first time – I was able to get to Dynamo on the last day of August, which was also the last day of fundraising for the year.”
Sean has managed to join the Dynamo Club (raising at least $5,000 in a fundraising season), each year since then. Unfortunately, a slow-to-heal ankle injury on Christmas Day 2022, sidelined Sean from the four-day event so he went back to “Five Ohio Hope Ride,” riding at least 5 but often 10 or more miles a day in July. The day before the in-person ride, Sean became a Dynamo once again, which is extra special this year since his jersey concept was made into the 2023 Dynamo Club Jersey.
“Really it’s the people and it’s the cause that brings me back each year. I honestly feel this was something I was meant to do and fate brought me here – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Fellow Pan Ohio Volunteer and Rider Jody McClain joined her husband Sean for the 2021 POHR Cloverleaf.
Thank you, Sean, for all you have and all you will do for the American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride. While many of us wrapped up our journey on Sunday, July 23, you (and other Create Your Own 328 riders) are still plugging away. Know that we’re on the virtual sidelines cheering for you every mile of the way as you complete your personal Hope Ride this year.
Finishers of the 2023 American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride on Sunday, July 23, posing for a last picture in Yeatman’s Cove after traversing nearly 350 miles from Cleveland to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mark your calendar for the 2024 Pan Ohio Hope Ride, starting in Cleveland on Thursday, July 25, and finishing in Cincinnati on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
Look for the new Pan Ohio website to launch in early September at pohr.org.
If you participated in this year’s event, you qualify for Pre-Registration for the 2024 event. Check your email inbox for details!
Donations to 2023 riders, teams, and the general POHR fund can be made through August 31, 2023 at pohr.org. There’s still time for riders to join the Dynamo Club, and reach Trailblazer, and/or Beacon. It ain’t over till the fundraising book closes!
We are delighted to congratulate Randy Hammons of Team MCPc for joining the Pan Ohio Hope Ride Dynamo Club by raising more than $5,000 so far this fundraising season!
Randy holds a special place in our Pan Ohio hearts. Not only is he a long-time rider and dedicated fundraiser, but he’s volunteered as a member of the Planning and Executive Committees over the years, has designed jerseys and other merchandise, and has generally brought so much love and support to the event.
It has been an incredibly difficult year for Randy. Though he grieved, he also persevered and pushed onward as those he lost would’ve wanted him to do, and he rode the Pan Ohio Hope Ride in loving memory of two very special women in his life. Randy’s wife (and long-time event volunteer) Shannon Hammons passed away last fall. Her loss left a palpable void in the Pan Ohio family as well. Earlier this year, Randy’s mother Anne lost her short battle with cancer. Randy calls the loss “a swift and grim reminder of why I support the American Cancer Society.”
His 12th year participating in this event, Randy is grateful for the opportunity to ride, raise money, and ease the pain of others – helping to create more winning stories in the fight against cancer.
Thank you, Randy, for your passion, dedication, and your generous, loving heart. And congratulations on joining this year’s Dynamo Club! Know that you are appreciated and loved!
2023 Pan Ohio Hope Ride supports the Cleveland Hope Lodge, American Cancer Society’s only Hope Lodge in Ohio
The 17th Annual American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride wrapped up on Sunday, July 23, after a challenging but oh-so-enjoyable journey from Cleveland to Cincinnati. Weather was perfect, with riders and volunteers smiling almost as brightly as the sun.
Our Hope Riders and dedicated volunteers raised awareness and funds to support the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Cleveland, Ohio, which serves cancer patients from around the state and across the country.
Fox19, who saw the bus of Cincinnati participants off on Wednesday, July 19, was at the Finish Line to welcome their local heroes home. Nearly 250 participants made the full four-day journey, while close to 50 more participated for one or two days or continue to ride during July as part of the virtual “Create Your Own 328” ride, wherein cyclists who can’t join for the four-day event ride where they are and when they can.
Every single participant gave (and gives) their all to this epic journey and cause. Donations will be accepted through August 31, if you’d like to reward a rider, team, or just support the general cause at pohr.org.
Thank you, WXIX-TV, for joining us and helping boost the signal regarding this incredible event and, even more importantly, the cause it serves!
Congratulations are in order for the one and only Brent Evans of Team MCPc who has unlocked Beacon level in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride Dynamo Club, raising more than $10,000 so far this fundraising season, with a little more than a month left to go.
What can we say about the incomparable Brent Evans? Brent brings a unique flavor to the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, a bit like adding bacon to a peanut butter and banana sandwich. He is a hunka hunka burning love, zeal, and compassion. Always giving to and caring about others, he’s quick to ask: “Are you lonesome tonight?” Then, he’ll let you know “that’s all right,” and offer support. If he finds you’re all shook up, he’ll offer a sympathetic ear or just a hug, if you need a little less conversation.
We are so grateful, Brent, for all you do to support the American Cancer Society and cancer patients, and all that you bring to the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, including my not limited to the funds you raise.
Never stop being the unique and wonderful individual you are, because what you are is a Beacon of Hope for cancer patients and your fellow cycling fundraisers.
Once again, we’re excited to recognize Jeff Darpel, a member of the Cincinnati Cycle Dawgs on his fundraising prowess, having raised $10,000 so far this fundraising season. This milestone earns Jeff a place among our Dynamo Beacons.
In case you missed our previous posts, Jeff is one of our Champions of Hope. He was already a long-time rider of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride and committed to “helping people fight cancer.” Then, one day – thanks to cancer screenings – they detected Jeff’s cancer and were able to begin treatment quickly, which helped save his life and allow him to continue joining us at the annual Pan Ohio Family reunion. You are a champion fundraiser, cyclist, and human being.
Thank you, Jeff, for never failing to go the extra mile to help others and being quick to offer a hug, smile, joke, or helping hand. We’re so lucky to have you in the POHR family. Congratulations on also being a Beacon of Hope for cancer patients…in more ways than one.
American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride 