Bidens kick off bike race fundraiser for cancer research

Former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden took part in the opening ceremony for a bike race in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday aimed at raising money for cancer research.

The former vice president, whose son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015, participated in the Pelotonia race kickoff, urging those in attendance on the important of tackling the disease. 

The annual weekend race was started by Ohio State University in 2008 and has raised more than $130 million for cancer research.

“When that diagnosis comes, know what you need? Hope. What you’re doing is.. energy, science&change. You’re giving hope.” -Biden @Pelotonia pic.twitter.com/Cjy5Gn2MSG

— Suzy Bureau (@SuzyBureau) August 5, 2017

Proud to be in Columbus today to greet the inspiring participants of #Pelotonia17. Congrats to the riders-let’s take on cancer together! pic.twitter.com/qoL2YoGobY

— Biden Cancer (@BidenCancer) August 5, 2017

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“We are joining everyone who spends their days thinking about preventing cancer, about better understanding its biological basis, about bringing early detection and education to all communities, about developing new treatments and therapies, and about caring for patients and their families through some of the hardest days anyone faces,” the Bidens told a local ABC affiliate this week.

In June, the Bidens launched the Biden Cancer Initiative, a private venture aimed at promoting cancer research and care.

Biden also spoke at a Cleveland Clinic meeting last October about his cancer “moonshot” initiative aimed at cancer detection and prevention.