24K in Pink Supports Sylvester Breast Cancer Research
Cancer Link luncheon raises awareness and funds for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center physician-scientists.
Cancer Link’s 24K in Pink luncheon featured fun, food, fashion and – most importantly – fundraising. Supporting Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of UHealth – University of Miami Health System, has been central to its mission for nearly 40 years. To date, Cancer Link has raised more than $4 million, including $180,000 from this year’s event.
When Cancer Link started in 1987, breast cancer was something most people did not talk about. But after losing a dear friend, founder Marlene Berg and her friends decided they needed to bring awareness to the disease. The organization has since grown into a major fundraising force, hosting annual luncheons to support breast cancer research, education, early detection and community outreach programs at Sylvester, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
“The greatest thing about Cancer Link is that every dime we raise goes directly to support breast cancer research at Sylvester,” said Cancer Link Co-President Patrice Gimenez, who is a childhood friend of Berg’s daughter and has been supporting the organization for decades. “We are always fortunate to have some of the research doctors in attendance at our luncheons.”
Grants for Breast Cancer Research
Each year Cancer Link provides generous grants allowing Sylvester’s world-renowned scientists to perform innovative breast cancer research and pursue novel treatments for this devasting disease. Several of last year’s grant recipients were in attendance, including Sophia George, Ph.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Miller School and associate director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Sylvester, and Rumela Chakrabarti, Ph.D., associate professor in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery and co-director of the Surgical Breast Cancer Research Group at the Miller School.
“We have all been touched by breast cancer in some way,” said Cancer Link Co-President Marisela Cisneros. “Cancer Link is an inclusive charity bringing together members of all different backgrounds, nationalities, genders and ages for the common purpose of helping researchers discover better treatments and pursue possible cures for this terrible disease that impacts so many families, mine included.”
More than 475 Cancer Link members and guests gathered for the 24K in Pink luncheon, held at Jungle Island in Miami. The event featured a silent auction, wine pull and raffle.
Attendees also enjoyed a beautiful fashion show by Julian Chang. The Miami designer, known for his bold prints and signature silhouettes, donated a percentage of sales from a pop-up shop at the luncheon to Cancer Link. To start the show, former “American Idol” and “The Voice” contestant Raquel Trinidad performed the hit song “24K Magic.”
Get Involved
Cancer Link welcomes new members and donations.
Tags: breast cancer, Cancer Link, cancer research, Dr. Rumela Chakrabarti, Dr. Sophia George, philanthropy, Sylverster Comprehensive Cancer Center