Cancer Link Brings Hope for a Cure
Luncheon raises awareness and funds to support breast cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The fittingly named Bloom Ballroom at Jungle Island was transformed into a vibrant, colorful flower market for Cancer Link’s Hope Blooms in Pink luncheon, supporting research within the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of UHealth – University of Miami Health System.
With a mission to ensure funding for breast cancer research, education, early detection and community outreach programs, Cancer Link is one of Sylvester’s strongest supporters. The partnership began almost four decades ago when a group of young women, led by Cancer Link Founder Marlene Berg, sought to bring awareness to breast cancer after losing a dear friend to the disease.
Its membership and fundraising force have grown substantially over the years, with Cancer Link having raised close to $4.5 million to date to support Sylvester, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 50 cancer centers in the nation.
“The beauty of Cancer Link is that we do everything on a purely donation and volunteer basis,” said Cancer Link Co-President Marisela Cisneros. “Every dollar that we bring in goes straight to the doctors who are doing the incredible work through research to save lives and find a cure.”
Hope for a Breast Cancer Cure
Marlene Berg’s daughter, Bonnie Sepe, says it’s significant that “hope” was chosen as the theme of this year’s luncheon, as the organization is hopeful a breast cancer cure will soon be discovered.
“I’m so proud of what my mother created,” said Sepe, a past president of Cancer Link. “She has always been involved with charity groups and raised us to help our community through charity work. Our whole family, my siblings, my daughters and my nieces are all committed to this cause, with many of us serving on the luncheon committee. It’s become a family legacy to support Cancer Link.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women, impacting one in every eight people in the U.S. Fortunately, thanks to scientific research, advances in treatment and earlier detection, the five-year survival rate exceeds 91%. But Cancer Link and Sylvester will not stop until that is 100%.
Each year, Cancer Link awards generous grants, enabling Sylvester’s world-renowned physicians and scientists to conduct innovative breast cancer research and pursue life-changing treatments for this devastating disease.
Last year’s grant recipients, Alejandra Perez, M.D., medical director of the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester-Plantation and associate professor of medical oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and Frank Penedo, Ph.D. ’99, director of Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care, Sylvester associate director for population sciences and Sylvester DCC Living Proof Endowed Chair in Cancer Survivorship, attended the Hope Blooms in Pink luncheon, where they were able to personally thank Cancer Link members for their philanthropic support.
Fundraising and Fashion
As has become a tradition at the Cancer Link luncheon, a breast cancer survivor shared her personal story, providing insight into the cancer journey. Breast cancer has personally touched so many people, and these first-hand accounts are especially impactful.
“Sadly, it seems everyone these days is either a breast cancer patient, survivor or has a loved one facing this terrible disease,” said Sepe. “Cancer Link will not slow down our fundraising efforts until scientists find a cure. And wouldn’t it be nice if we could end it in our lifetime?”
The fundraising luncheon also included a silent auction, raffle and fabulous fashion show by Miami-based designer Julian Chang, who donated a portion of sales from a pop-up shop to Cancer Link.
Keep Hope Blooming
Cancer Link is committed to advancing research, early detection and patient care at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute. Your donation helps fuel groundbreaking science, provide lifesaving screenings and support patients.
Donate today and show your support.
Tags: breast cancer, Cancer Link, cancer research, Dr. Alejandra Perez, Dr. Frank Penedo, fundraising, philanthropy, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center