M/I Homes donates $141,000 toward cancer research

M/I Homes has built a 3,300 square foot Lakewood Ranch residence into more than just a home.

It’s a symbol of hope in the fight against cancer. Through its partnerships with Pelotonia, a nonprofit that works to fund cancer research, the homebuilder has turned the sale of the five-bedroom property into a $141,000 donation.

This is the third benefit home for Pelotonia and the second in Lakewood Ranch. Last year, $140,248 from a benefit home in Sweetwater in Lakewood Ranch was donated as well. 

Greg Crawford, the area president of the Sarasota division of M/I homes, has been with the company for 24 years, but transferred to Sarasota four years ago.

“Everybody's been hit with cancer somewhere along the line with a family or friend, it's such a widespread disease,” Crawford said. “When we can give something back like this, it just makes you really excited and proud.” 

In order to build and sell a benefit home, the M/I homes purchasing team works closely with dozens of trade partners who donate in some form or another.

“The cost of the homes becomes less and then it allows us to take all of those savings that we get from our contractors to then donate that number,” Crawford said. “The proceeds of the home, plus the savings contributions we get from the trade partners’ contributions, we donate that amount to Pelotonia.” 

Pelotonia was founded in 2008 and since its inception the organization has raised over $300 million, all of which has gone directly to cancer research at The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio.

Photo by Meaghan Otto

Walker said Ibrutinib, a drug that is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a common type of blood cancer) is just one of the forms of research that Pelotonia has funded. It has now been used by over 300,000 patients worldwide. 

Erica Walker, the philanthropy and stewardship manager at Pelotonia, traveled from Ohio to be present for the presentation of the $141,000 check. She has been to a few different benefit homes but said Lakewood Ranch stood out to her. She described it as a beautiful community and destination. 

“We're just so incredibly grateful for everybody's part that they play, because it truly is such a unique thing,” Walker said. “It’s such a great example to other organizations of how they can utilize their business and to think creatively about how they can show support.”

Walker said Pelotonia would not be able to give as much money as it does without funding partners that help support operational costs. M/I Homes is one of them. 

“The way that they (M/I Homes) bring its employees and vendors together throughout all of the divisions across the country is incredibly unique and really special,” Walker said. 

Besides the monetary value, Walker said simply spreading the awareness of Pelotonia’s mission is powerful. 

“We don't want a pat on the back,” Crawford said. "We do this because doing things for other people and helping where you can should be what we all strive to do as a society.”