A Northeast Ohio cyclist is preparing for his 18th trip in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, a four-day fundraising and awareness event that raises money for the American Cancer Society’s Cleveland Hope Lodge.
Long ride, immediate purpose
The 20th running of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride will travel roughly 340 miles from Cleveland to Cincinnati July 23-26. Riders will depart at 7:30 a.m. July 23 from the Dolan Science Center at John Carroll University and are scheduled to finish at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati on July 26. About 300 cyclists are expected to participate this year.
Among them is Brian Bortz, an Akron-area rider whose fundraising to date has been sustained and substantial. Bortz has raised more than $141,000 for the Cleveland Hope Lodge over previous rides and has set a $10,000 goal for this year; as of July 9 he had collected nearly $8,100.
"The Hope Lodge is a huge comfort to families socially and emotionally; it just takes a lot of burden off,"
The Cleveland Hope Lodge offers free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers who must travel for treatment, reducing both financial and emotional strain during care. Organizers say the Pan Ohio event helps fund that work: as of July 9, participants had collectively raised more than $668,000 for the lodge this year.
Why it matters locally and statewide
For hospitals and oncology clinics that draw patients from across Ohio, nearby lodging is a practical necessity. Programs such as the Hope Lodge can determine whether a patient and caregiver can maintain treatment schedules, especially for those who live far from major cancer centers. Fundraising rides also raise awareness among communities along the route, from Cuyahoga County through southern Ohio to Hamilton County.
- Event: Pan Ohio Hope Ride (20th anniversary)
- Dates: July 23–26
- Distance: ~340 miles (Cleveland to Cincinnati)
- Start: Dolan Science Center, John Carroll University, July 23 at 7:30 a.m.
- Finish: Lunken Airport, Cincinnati, July 26
- Participants: ~300 cyclists
Riders and donors can support individual fundraisers or learn more about the event through the American Cancer Society’s event pages and personal fundraising links maintained by participants. Bortz said he hopes the Pan Ohio ride will exceed previous fundraising milestones and eventually return to raising more than $1 million in a single year.
Practical information for residents
Communities along the route can expect temporary increased bicycle and support-vehicle traffic during the four days; organizers typically coordinate with local authorities on safety and traffic management. Those wishing to support riders financially or volunteer with logistics should consult the event’s official materials for registration and safety guidelines.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rider spotlight | Brian Bortz — 18th Pan Ohio ride |
| Personal fundraising goal | $10,000 (nearly $8,100 raised as of July 9) |
| Total raised by participants (as of July 9) | $668,000+ |
The Pan Ohio Hope Ride combines endurance cycling with community fundraising that supports patients statewide. For many riders and donors, the event is as much about direct assistance to families navigating cancer treatment as it is about the physical challenge.
