Unique Experiences

Item Description

Help raise funds for Pelotonia's efforts to cure cancer by bidding on this four ticket package for an Open Air Safari at The Wilds!

The Wilds is a private, non-profit safari park and conservation center that combines cutting-edge conservation science and education programs with hands-on experiences and one-of-a-kind adventures that include ziplining, horseback riding, fishing and more. Located in southeast Ohio, the Wilds is home to rare and endangered species from around the globe living in natural, open-range habitats.

Item Special Note

All auction proceeds go to cancer research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Hospital / Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James) at The Ohio State University. The auction is hosted by the Schottenstein Center as part of a University-wide initiative, Pelotonia.  The Jerome Schottenstein Center is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of The Ohio State University. 

Pelotonia is an inspired community of people, a cancer research center, hundreds of volunteers, thousands of riders, countless stories of inspiration, and one disease that absolutely must be fought each and every day until it is stopped.

Government funding for cancer has been flat in recent years, despite the fact that one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime. As Director of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center and distinguished research physician, Mike Caligiuri recognized the need to expand current research funding. Inspired by the broad success of grass roots initiatives supporting other nationally based cancer programs, Mike Caligiuri and cancer survivor Tom Lennox rode 163 miles in the summer of 2008 across Cape Cod in support of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Later that fall, Lennox resigned from Abercrombie & Fitch and founded Columbus based Pelotonia.

The business model of Pelotonia remains simple: corporate partners cover the expenses for the annual bike ride, so that every dollar raised by Pelotonia riders goes directly to fund cancer research.  Riders commit to raise a minimum of $1,200 to $2,200 each, depending on the route they select.  The Schottenstein Center created this auction to support our riders, expand our participation in Pelotonia and encourage others to get involved!