Cleveland charity ride targets $1 million in 2027

The American Cancer Society Cleveland Hope House needs financial support to keep its doors open. A long-standing cycling event aims to secure that support through a major fundraising effort in 2027.

The Pan-Ohio Hope Ride will start on July 22, 2027, from a parking lot at John Carroll University. The event spans four days and covers 328 miles. In 2026, participants raised one million dollars for the cause. This marks the 22nd year of the ride, which has operated since its inception 21 years ago.

Brian Bortz and Susie Laurence serve as co-chairs for the upcoming 2027 event. They discussed the logistics and goals of the ride in a recent podcast episode. The event is designed to be a year-end gift opportunity for donors who prefer supporting a specific cause over purchasing traditional presents.

The funds raised support the Hope House, a facility that opened in 1995. It is located in University Circle, near the main campuses of University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic. The lodge provides 43 guest rooms that are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These rooms offer a home-like environment for patients undergoing treatment and one accompanying caregiver. This arrangement allows them to avoid the high costs of extended hospital or hotel stays.

The organization connects with similar Hope Houses located near hospitals across the country. The Cleveland facility serves as a respite center for those in the northeastern Ohio region. The ride serves as a primary method for generating the revenue needed to maintain this free housing service.

The 2027 ride is part of a series of six fundraising opportunities highlighted for the holiday season. The first entry in this series focuses on the Ohio event. The next opportunity presented is Talbot Thrive, an advocacy group based in Talbot County, Maryland. Both organizations are presented as alternatives for charitable giving.

Interested participants and donors can visit POHR.org for details on the ride. The 2026 fundraising total of one million dollars sets a benchmark for the 2027 campaign. The event remains a small but impactful contributor to the American Cancer Society's local efforts.