Tied to the Mission

Aaron Gerds, MD, MS, spends his days researching and treating leukemia, searching for better answers for patients who need them now. VeloSano has become woven into that mission, layered with meaning, much like the bow ties he wears every day. Not only has he participated in Bike to Cure since the beginning, but he has also received VeloSano funding to advance lifesaving cancer research.

Dr. Gerds is known for his brightly patterned bow ties that spark connection and break the ice with cancer patients, but his VeloSano bow ties do even more. They open the door to meaningful conversations about why this effort matters.

“We’re all touched by cancer in some way,” says Dr. Gerds. “As a cancer doctor, VeloSano is a critical tool that I use to help our patients, filling in the gaps in research funding. The bow tie reminds me that all of this is so much bigger than any one of us.”

It may seem like a simple accessory, but the VeloSano bow tie symbolizes the strength of a community rallying behind research and hope.

This story was originally published in Cleveland Clinic’s Little Book of Big Impact.