Seventeen years ago, I joined Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC). After a few months on the job, I learned that a few of my fellow physicians were forming a team to ride in something called Pelotonia - a fundraiser to end cancer. I had wanted to get back into cycling and do something to fight cancer, so I signed up and have been with teamCOPC every year since then.

As a COPC internal medicine physician, I would guess that I have witnessed more cancer than most over my years of training and practice. Besides patients, I have also known several close friends and a few family members who have been diagnosed with cancer and I have ridden with many cyclists whose lives have been affected by this disease. Cancer became more personal for me when my father died from it in 2019.

I am riding this year in honor of my mother-in-law, Connie Brandt, who is a survivor of one cancer and is battling another. I also ride in memory of my father, Ronald J. Taddeo, MD, and my wife Stephanie's grandmother, Betty Brandt. I am riding for all the families of my patients who died from this disease during my career. I am also riding for all my family members, friends and patients who are cancer survivors.

I have been a "High Roller" ($5000 fundraiser) for several years now, but this year I will again set the bar higher with the plan to raise at least $10,000 to continue the fight to end cancer. 100% of the money raised by Pelotonia goes directly to cancer research at The James, which is especially important in a time where cancer reseach funding is being slashed. Discoveries at Ohio State are then shared with physicians and hospitals around the world. Please help me support this important cause. PELOTONIA 2026. HOPE HAS NO LIMITS. ENDING CANCER.

teamCOPC.org