27-Year-Old Ohio Medical Student Dies Suddenly of ‘Heart Issue’ During Three-Day Bike Ride

A 27-year-old medical student at Ohio State University died suddenly on Saturday during an annual Pelotonia 102-mile charity bike ride to raise funds for cancer research.

Pelotonia is a three-day charity event that was started to raise money for cancer research. The event involves a weekend of cycling, entertainment, and volunteer work.

Mason Fisher, a three-time participant, collapsed 2.9 miles before the finish and passed away due to a medical issue.

Ohio State University Medical Student Mason Fisher, Dead at 27 During Pelotonia Bike Ride…

"Collapsed"…

"Heart-related medical issue"…

Student at the Ohio State University College of Medicine…

– The Columbus Dispatch

— Dr. James E. Olsson (@DrJamesOlsson) August 7, 2022

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mason Fisher and the Class of 2014. May he rest in peace with the risen Lord 🙏🏻https://t.co/Y8Mwo1jCnz

— Bishop Watterson HS (@BishopWatterson) August 8, 2022

According to his family, he experienced a heart-related medical issue at the 100th mile of his 102-mile ride.

Last June, Mason announced on his Facebook account that he would be riding in his third Pelotonia.

In August, I will be riding in my third Pelotonia, first since 2014 and first as a med student at Ohio State. I’m excited to ride 102 miles for such a great cause and to help raise money and bring awareness to Pelotonia.

Every single dollar raised is invested in the brightest minds in cancer research at the James who are making cancer therapies less toxic and more effective for patients. From increasing cancer prevention and early detection methods to creating new drugs that are in use today – Pelotonia dollars are truly saving lives.

For me, the fight against cancer is personal, as it is for so many others. Over the past few years, I’ve seen how cancer diagnoses have affected my family and friends. I’ve seen them fight back, and have some winning days and some losing days. And I’ve seen how the James is leading the way on improving these outcomes. It makes it THAT much more important for me to do my small part.

I’m proud to ask for your support of my fundraising goal knowing that Pelotonia directs 100% of every dollar raised by its participants to innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC-James.

The Columbus Dispatch reported:

Fisher was a member of Team Buckeye – Spin Doctors Peloton. Fisher was riding in the 102-mile course, according to his fundraising page. He was also a student in the Ohio State University College of Medicine.

His family said he was at the 100-mile mark on his 102-mile ride when he collapsed with a medical issue. His mother, a cancer survivor, said his last words were, “I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow, Mom.”

Members of the College of Medicine planned a vigil for Fisher at 8 p.m. Sunday at Meiling Hall,  370 West 9th Ave., where they will ride 2.9 miles — the remainder of his ride — in his memory and will hold a candlelight vigil around 8:30 p.m.

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Fisher attended Immaculate Conception School, St. Charles Preparatory School and Bishop Watterson High School, and according to his family, graduated from OSU with a biomedical sciences undergraduate degree. He was planning to begin his second year as a medical student on Monday.

Fisher had Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare genetic disease that causes predisposition to cancer, and for several years he was a guest speaker for first-year medical students about familial genetic cancers.

Fisher loved golf trips, boating, trivia night and March Madness festivities. His family said he hoped to be a surgeon.

According to his Pelotonia fundraising page, 2022 was his first year since 2014 riding in the Pelotonia. He was riding this year in memory of a friend he lost in 2021 to colorectal cancer.

Pelotonia’s CEO, Doug Ulman, released a statement following Mason’s passing. Read the statement below:

Yesterday we suffered a tremendous loss. Mason Fisher, a three-time Pelotonia rider and active member of our community, experienced a medical event while participating in the 102-mile ride and later passed away. It is with profound sorrow that we share this tragedy with you today.

Mason was a beloved member of the Team Buckeye – Spin Doctors Peloton as well as The Ohio State University. His giving spirit and dedication to helping others were evident to all and this loss affects the entire Pelotonia community.

Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson shares in our grief, saying “We are heartbroken by the loss of Mason, who was selflessly riding in Pelotonia to help cancer patients – a cause he was personally connected to. The death of a student impacts the entire Buckeye Family and I know that all of us send our deepest expressions of sympathy to his parents, family, and friends.”

On behalf of Pelotonia, we also extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched, and we grieve with them during this time.

Our leadership team has been in contact with Mason’s family, and we have offered our steadfast support to them. With Mason and his family in our hearts, we will observe a moment of silence at the beginning of our rides this morning and carry him with us in the days to come.

A vigil was held in memory of Mason Fisher. Watch the video below: