VeloSano: Cancer Research Fundraising

Podcast Transcript

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Cancer Advances, a Cleveland Clinic podcast for medical professionals, exploring the latest innovative research in clinical advances in the field of oncology. Thank you for joining us for another episode of Cancer Advances. I'm your host, Dr. Dale Shephard, a medical oncologist here at Cleveland Clinic overseeing our Taussig Phase 1 and Sarcoma programs. Today, I'm happy to be joined by Nicole Peters, executive director of VeloSano, an initiative to raise money for innovative cancer research here at Cleveland Clinic. She's here today to talk to us about VeloSano. So welcome, Nicole.

Nicole Peters: Thank you for having me.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Absolutely. So just to start, give us a little bit of an idea, what is your role here at Cleveland Clinic? What do you do?

Nicole Peters: Well, I do oversee the VeloSano initiative for Cleveland Clinic. And as you said it's our major fundraiser for cancer research that Cleveland Clinic executes. So when it started, it was a bike ride where people are registering and committing to raise a certain amount of money depending on the distance that they're riding. And then we had other ways that you could get involved as well. And then as it evolved, we realized that this was a great opportunity to invite the entire community to get involved, not only here in Northeast Ohio, but nationwide and really globally because of how everyone has been impacted by cancer in some way or another. And so within three or four years, it really grew from our weekend bike ride to a year round initiative where we really are striving to raise money in that year round effort to support, as we say, lifesaving cancer research at Cleveland Clinic.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: There we go. And before we get too far along, there's a lot of things you see about a hundred percent. So tell me why we use all of this a hundred percent language.

Nicole Peters: That's really the key. When we tell someone that we're trying to see if they would like to be involved or even talking to a potential partner, when you share that 100% of the dollars that are raised all goes to cancer research here at Cleveland Clinic, people are very inspired by that. And I think a lot of times sometimes people aren't sure when they give, where is the money going and the fact that we can say 100% all supports the cause, that means a lot to everyone that's involved and people that we are talking to about potentially getting involved.

And the way that we can give 100% to research is thanks to all of the amazing partners of Bike to Cure weekend. We have 50 to 60 corporate partners that vary in support on how much they are supporting. And it could be a monetary value, or it could be an in kind gift that is something that we would be buying to help put on the event. So all of that offsets our operational costs, allows us to run our website, do the major event weekend, give people tools for fundraising, different things like that, so that we can give that 100% back to research.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: And I think the really important thing is you have used the term partners, not sponsors. And I think that's something that's been outstanding with this event. They really are partners.

Nicole Peters: Yes.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: And they really do roll up their sleeves and they're part of the initiative.

Nicole Peters: They really are. And we're always following up, can we give you more visibility? Can we do more things to promote you? And it's overwhelmingly, we are just happy to be a part of this and to support something that makes an impact, a positive impact for so many people. So it's just a really inspirational and moving relationship, I would say that we have with our partners and they're like family. And they really go above and beyond just the general support and are always looking for different ways of, how can we help you bring in more money and how can we help you get more visibility and all of those things. So it's really, like you said, an amazing partnership.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Yeah. How long we've been at this?

Nicole Peters: So we're in our ninth year now, which is amazing. Can't believe it.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Time flies, right?

Nicole Peters: Yeah.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Yeah. So as we set this up, everyone sort of scratched their head when this first was brought up as coming in as an event and it really has blossomed. But what were the biggest barriers and how did we overcome them?

Nicole Peters: Well getting started and relying on that partnership support to launch everything, I mean that was a huge effort. And thanks to our founder, Stewart Cole, he really is the one that made this possible. He made a generous donation to Cleveland Clinic to get this initiative up and running. And then the amazing networks of people here in Northeast Ohio helped us to get the word out, helped bring on those core partners in that initial year to help us get everything launched. And so that was a big effort.

And then really the fundraising component. A lot of people have never asked someone to donate to them and help support them in something that they're looking to raise money to support. So we do all that we can to put it in terms where it's, if you're trying to raise $100 let's say, that's asking four friends to donate $25 to you. And then even breaking that down even further, if somebody goes to Starbucks five days a week, and they're buying a $5 coffee, skip your Starbucks run for the week and donate that to me instead, and know that 100% of your donation is supporting cancer research.

So I think once people dip their toe in the water, share the message and see how willing their friends and family are to give, especially when they share that 100% message, that's the barrier, but once try it, everyone is pleasantly surprised at their response.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: We'll talk a little bit more about other ways to measure impact and things like that, but of course, dollars is a really simple way to measure success, right? So brag a little, how much have we raised?

Nicole Peters: So we announced the total every November. So right now the dollar that we're referencing is what we've raised over our first eight years. And it's not what we've raised, it's what our community has raised to support VeloSano and that community thus far has raised over $30 million. And obviously 100% of that has supported research here. And now in our eight years, over 200 cancer research projects have been funded. So it's just been very humbling.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: That's outstanding. And with the money that has been used to fund research that has also brought in additional money, is that correct?

Nicole Peters: Correct. So one of the types of projects that we fund, it's a pilot award or a pilot grant, and those are really funding new ideas that need this kickstart money to allow them to get their new idea going and then show results to hopefully then bring in additional support from extramural sources, so NIH or foundation grants are a different thing. And that is definitely working. So with that 30 million, the projects that have been funded in our early years have brought in an additional 22 million in government or different support so the total impact of VeloSano now is over 52 million.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: It's impressive. What kind of research is being funded?

Nicole Peters: So that's the other great story. Is it really spans multiple research types. Many of the projects that get funded are those that can actually benefit multiple cancer types as well, which I think is an important story to share with those who are being impacted by cancer. But on our website, we have our impact report and you can see a full rundown of how many brain cancer studies we've funded, or how many clinical trials there have been, how many pediatric research projects have been supported and it really does run the gamut. And we also do a lot of projects that fund rare cancers, because that's a definite priority within Cleveland Clinic as well.

The other great story to share is the dollars aren't just limited to one institute within Cleveland Clinic, or limited to Taussig, the women's health team, the Learner Research Institute, South Pointe Hospital has received funding, so it really does span not only multiple cancer types, but anyone doing research at Cleveland Clinic has the opportunity to receive these funds and that goes down to Cleveland Clinic Florida, everywhere.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: And then in terms of types of research, if people have an interest in funding basic science, there are opportunities and clinical trials there's opportunities, there's screening trial has been. And so really a little bit of something for everyone.

Nicole Peters: Right.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: So that's great.

Nicole Peters: Including you being funded.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: I have. I've been a grateful supported. And actually in all fairness, that was extremely helpful. Because as you mentioned, sometimes you have the ability to do something, if only you have a little bit of a bump to do that. And you mentioned rare cancers. So I was the grateful recipient of an impact award and was able to open five clinical trials as a result and we're able to provide treatment options for patients who wouldn't have had them otherwise. So, it's pretty powerful. Before we get too far along, how can people participate?

Nicole Peters: The main way we raise the majority of the dollars is through our Bike to Cure weekend. So that's a great way to get involved. We have rides ranging from six miles all the way up to 100 miles. And if you haven't been on your bike in a while, you can totally do it. And the six mile Guardian City loop ride, is a great way to get started. It's also our lowest fundraising commitment for any of our distances. It's a $500 commitment, and you have until October 1st to raise those funds. So you have a nice long extended period to raise the money. And if you're 24 or younger, you can actually get a 50% discount on your fundraising commitment. So for any of our young listeners out there that is a great option.

If you're not ready to get on your bike, but you do want to fundraise, you can register as a virtual fundraiser and you have all the same tools and assets to help you with your fundraising. You have a personal page on our website and can join a team and you can also join a team as a volunteer. We need over 1000 volunteers to help us put on ride weekend. And it's such an amazing experience. As we talked with our relationship with our partners, the relationship between the volunteers and the riders on ride weekend is just an amazing thing to witness. People create relationships that have carried on now over these eight years. We have consistent volunteers that have returned year over year to work the same rest stop or work at the main venue. It really becomes part of what they look forward to every year.

So Bike to Cure is a great opportunity. We also have Trike & Bike, which is a series of community based rides for kids. So it's for kids ages 3 to 12 and all the dollars those kids raise all goes to pediatric cancer research at Cleveland Clinic Children's. So it's a great way if you have young children and want to get them involved and want to educate them or expose them to the power of giving back, this is a great way to introduce them to that. There's a $25 fundraising commitment there for those kids. And we have kids that are raising $10,000. So it's again, if you're looking to be inspired, this is a great way to do that.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: And this year's six year old and a tricycle is future a hundred mile rider.

Nicole Peters: That's exactly right.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Now, we hear lots of course, negative things that have happened as a result of COVID, but we had a brief pause in the ride itself and there were a lot of people previously who said, well, I'd love to get involved, but I don't get on a bike. So, how did that actually help us from the ability to get more people involved?

Nicole Peters: Yep. From the beginning we had a virtual participation option, but it was hard to explain, or it was hard for people to wrap their head around like, well, how do I do that? And what do I do? So with COVID we did go completely virtual that year. We still encouraged people. We sent out jerseys, we encourage people to get registered and it allowed us to really showcase how you can think about participating virtually. We coined the phrase, you can fundraise anytime, anywhere and in any way you choose. So if you're not a cyclist or you aren't crazy about getting on a bike, you can run and you can say, I'm going to do five, five Ks over the next five months and as part of that, I'm raising money for cancer research. Donate to me.

So you can still join a team as a virtual fundraiser, but choose whatever activity means the most to you. We had people doing cross stitch like needle point. We had people kayaking, rollerblading. I mean, it was awesome. And it's really allowed us to harness what we saw and how people were reacting to that and now still push that out to say, here's examples of how if you're in Texas, you can still be a part of this and you can register to ride and do your ride down in Texas, or you can do walk your dog. It's really whatever you want to make it.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Now you mentioned Texas, as I recall, we get participation from nearly every state, is that right?

Nicole Peters: Yes. Whether it be participation or we definitely get donations from every state, but we span now 36 states in terms of people actually fundraising actively and participating.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: That's great. You talked a little bit about this before, but we talked about the impact in terms of money. We talked about 200 projects funded. What about personal connections? And patients with cancer, their loved ones, they sometimes feel a little bit helpless. This really has brought about sort of an ability for people to feel like they're helping out and doing something. So talk a little bit about that sort of impact.

Nicole Peters: And I think that's why ride weekend means so much to people, because you're not only raising the money, but then you're coming together with this community that is all passionate about the same thing. And you're doing an activity and most participants are pushing themselves. We have people riding 50 miles that this is the only time all year long they're going to get on their bike and ride 50 miles. Exactly, me too. So you're pushing yourself to show how much you care about if it's your family member or a friend, or maybe even you and it gives you that sense of purpose. That sense of I am doing something and you showcase that and why you're doing it. And when people see that, that is why they give to you.

And then when you are that fundraiser and you see that outpouring of how people want to support you, it provides healing, it provides hope and it gives you that purpose to say, this is why I am doing this and I am making a difference. And when you have someone that's battling cancer or someone that you have lost, you need that. You need that to help you through that phase and continue to help you through whatever you're going through, to celebrate someone who has survived, or to carry on the memory of somebody that you've lost.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: And so Bike to Cure weekend, we actually provide an opportunity for people to get together. Is that correct?

Nicole Peters: Yes. So we are super excited. Our first six years, we had a kickoff party to really get the weekend going that was on Friday night and then ride day on Saturday. And when COVID hit, obviously we went completely virtual and then in our year eight, we came back live. But just to still be a little cautious, we decided no kickoff party. We'll just focus on ride day. So we're super excited to have our kickoff party back this year. It's Friday evening. It opens up at four, runs till about nine o'clock. We have a program, usually from about 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, where we really thank everyone and drive home why we are all here together and really get people inspired for riding the next day. But it's just an awesome gathering.

It's outside. We're in downtown Cleveland on Mall B, which is the green space above the convention center. We put up tents, we have amazing food. It's all you can eat and drink. When you register to ride you get two tickets to that. People can purchase extra tickets if they want. And it's just a great way to kick off the weekend. And then Saturday the venue opens up at six in the morning. Our rides get rolling at seven in the morning. We have breakfast and then everything transitions over to an awesome lunch when all the riders are coming back and it's very festive. And it's just a celebration of what's been accomplished.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: You're doing amazing things, Nicole.

Nicole Peters: Well, it's not just me. There are so many people. And I mean, really for those listening, there are so many people involved with this and dedicated to this and including our very own Dr. Shephard right here. So we could not do this without the support of so many people and we're so very grateful for that.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Well, thank you for the insight. Is there a particular website you'd like to point people to learn more?

Nicole Peters: Sure. If you go to VeloSano.org and it's V-E-L-O-S-A-N-O.org and everything you need to know is at your fingertips and you can always contact us too. We are always here to help.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: Very good. Well, thanks for being with us.

Nicole Peters: Thank you so much.

Dale Shepard, MD, PhD: To make a direct online referral to our Taussig Cancer Institute, complete our online cancer patient referral form by visiting clevelandclinic.org/cancerpatientreferrals. You will receive confirmation once the appointment is scheduled. This concludes this episode of Cancer Advances. You will find additional podcast episodes on our website, clevelandclinic.org/canceradvancespodcast. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google play, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And don't forget, you can access real-time updates from Cleveland Clinic's cancer center experts on our Consult QD website at consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/cancer. Thank you for listening. Please join us again soon.