Castaways Against Cancer and Sylvester Celebrate Milestone Launch
The group’s 25th-anniversary fundraising efforts will support the work of physician-scientists David Lombard, M.D., Ph.D., and Ramin Shiekhattar, Ph.D.
The nonprofit group Castaways Against Cancer recently launched their annual fundraising event, a 160-mile kayak and cycling tour to Key West, Fla., to support research innovation at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
This year’s theme, “Here Comes the Sun Tour: A Silver Lining of Hope,” expressed the optimism of participants as they launched their kayaks off the shores of Key Biscayne June 8. The launch commemorated the group’s 25th anniversary.
Supporting Cancer Research
Castaways Against Cancer has raised more than $2.3 million for cancer research. This is the third year of a five-year pledge to raise an additional $1.5 million for research at Sylvester, South Florida’s only NCI-designated cancer center.
“We are supporting six different research projects at Sylvester,” said Eric Pino, captain of Castaways Against Cancer. “Each project touches a different area, whether it be breast cancer, epigenetics or pediatrics. This group is a small representation of all the people at Sylvester looking for a cure, and we thank everyone at Sylvester for dedicating their time, talent and resources to ending cancer and supporting survivors.”
Funds raised by the Castaways support the work of Sylvester physician-scientists. This year the Castaways are supporting research led by David Lombard, M.D., Ph.D., and Ramin Shiekhattar, Ph.D., with a $150,000 donation to their respective laboratories.
Dr. Lombard, co-leader of the Cancer Epigenetics Program at Sylvester and vice chair of clinical and translational research at the Miller School, focuses on developing new treatments and therapies for Ewing sarcoma (EWS), a cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissue of children and young adults. Current therapies for EWS can have severe, long-term effects on patients, such as heart damage, cognitive problems and even second cancers.
Dr. Shiekhattar, co-leader of the Cancer Epigenetics Program and chief of the Division of Cancer Genomics and Epigenetics at Sylvester, investigates how cancer cells manipulate elements of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) structure in the cell’s nucleus. His team is focused on how cancer cells form and grow and developing treatments for cancers that have developed resistance to drugs.
“At Sylvester, we’re constantly looking for new, innovative ways to treat cancer,” said Dr. Shiekhattar at the Castaways launch. “All of us here share the same dream of finding the cures and bringing hope to millions. Your support is critical to our progress, and we thank you for your dedication and generosity.”
A Special Recognition
Twenty-five years ago, founder Steve “OB” O’Brien first led five kayakers from Miami to Key West in honor of his mother, who passed away from cancer.
Daniella Levine Cava, mayor of Miami-Dade County, and Miami-Dade County officials honored the Castaways at this year’s launch by renaming a section of the beach as the Castaways Against Cancer Beach.
Visit the Castaways Against Cancer website to learn more about the group’s work to support cancer research.
Tags: cancer research, Castaways Against Cancer, Dr. David Lombard, Dr. Ramin Shiekhattar, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center