Cancer survivor and Trumbull County Auditor Martha Yoder will return to the Pelotonia Charity Ride in August, this time committing to her longest distance yet. Her participation comes less than a year after a near-fatal bicycle accident that briefly threatened to end her involvement in the annual event.
From diagnosis to the open road
Yoder was diagnosed with uterine cancer and has since made cycling a central part of her recovery and fundraising work. Despite suffering a serious bike accident last year, she completed a 30-mile ride just one month later, raising $1,580 for the James Cancer Center, a facility backed by some of the world’s leading cancer charities and research networks.
“Biking just kind of took off, and I wanted to make it not just about me getting healthy, but about helping other people,” Yoder said.
Her personal connection to the cause runs deeper than the diagnosis, as her brother received treatment for leukemia at the James Cancer Center before his passing.
How Martha Yoder is setting her sights on 46 miles
This year, Yoder has committed to riding 46 miles and raising $1,500 for the James Cancer Center at the annual Pelotonia event. The ride is one of Ohio’s largest charity cycling events and directs its proceeds toward cancer research and treatment.
“There is a good chance I can get cancer again, so I want to be in better shape,” Yoder said, explaining her motivation to keep pushing her physical limits through the sport.
The Pelotonia Charity Ride takes place in August, and Yoder’s fundraising page is already live and accepting donations. Her story reflects a broader shift in how individuals are using personal health challenges to drive community impact, a trend that platforms like GoFundMe’s AI-powered fundraising tools are increasingly designed to support.