Castaways Against Cancer Launches New Commitment to Support Sylvester Researchers
The longtime philanthropic partner celebrates completing a $1.5 million commitment and announces a new pledge to support innovative cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Like the rhythmic strokes of kayak paddlers, the Castaways Against Cancer and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, move in synchronization toward a shared vision of a cancer-free world.
Founded in 2000 by Steve “OB” O’Brien to raise funds and awareness after losing his mother to cancer, the Castaways have grown into a formidable fundraising force. The non-profit group has raised more than $3.2 million to date for cancer research.
Praising a Powerful Partnership
After completing a five-year pledge to Sylvester totaling $1.5 million, the Castaways have renewed their commitment with a new pledge of $2.25 million, further strengthening their longstanding partnership. This milestone was recently celebrated at the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building, Sylvester’s hub for cancer innovation.
Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., spoke of the significance of the venue, noting that the state-of-the-art facility, which unites groundbreaking research and world-renowned patient care under one roof, was made possible by philanthropy.
“Our success has been built on our relationships within the community, and funding from resolute partners like the Castaways helps fuel the breakthroughs that define Sylvester’s future,” said Dr. Nimer, the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and executive dean of research at the Miller School. “Every philanthropic dollar accelerates discovery and multiplies in impact with the ability to leverage seed funding into major federal grants.”
To express gratitude to the Castaways for their steadfast commitment to supporting Sylvester, Dr. Nimer had the privilege of presenting Castaways Against Cancer Captain Eric Pino with a commemorative paddle, calling it a symbol of strength, resiliency and the shared journey to finding cures for cancer. Pino, in turn, voiced his appreciation to Sylvester.
“I’m thankful to all of you for empowering us, giving us hope, opening up doors and providing opportunities to make a difference,” said Pino, who started as a paddler in 2010 and assumed the role of captain six years ago. “We’re proud to know that because of the dollars we raise, people are walking out those doors with a better chance at survival.”
Supporting Sylvester Cancer Research
The funds the Castaways raise support awards to Sylvester scientists. Over the years, this has helped finance research into pediatric brain tumors, breakthrough discoveries in cancer prevention, early cancer prevention, novel treatments and work in cancer epigenetics, which has allowed Sylvester to establish one of the best cancer epigenetics programs in the country.
The 2026 research award recipients are:
• Rumela Chakrabarti, Ph.D., co-director of Sylvester’s Surgical Breast Cancer Research Group and associate professor in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery at the Miller School
• Frank Penedo, Ph.D., associate director for population sciences, the Sylvester DCC Living Proof Endowed Chair in Cancer Survivorship and director of the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute.
• Taghrid Asfar, M.D., M.S.P.H., professor of public health sciences at the Miller School and member of Sylvester
• David Lombard, M.D., Ph.D., co-leader of the cancer epigenetics program, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and vice chair of clinical and translational research at the Miller School
• Sandra Rieger, Ph.D., associate professor in the University of Miami biology department and member of Sylvester
This is Dr. Lombard’s second research award from the Castaways. His research focuses on identifying new therapeutic targets for Ewing sarcoma (EWS), a cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissue of children and young adults. Castaways’ funding allows his lab to pursue new therapeutic targets that will hopefully be more effective, with fewer side effects.
As co-lead of the epigenetics program, Dr. Lombard sees great promise in these studies and values the Castaways’ support for this emerging science.
“Sylvester’s cancer epigenetics program is attempting to understand how genes are turned on and off in different cell types, and how this process goes awry in cancer,” explained Dr. Lombard. “Such knowledge is paving the way for new cancer therapies and identifying new ways to overcome treatment resistance.”
Colleague Luisa Cimmino, Ph.D., is also focused on epigenetics. Her research has focused on how metabolism and micronutrients influence blood cancer progression to identify targeted interventions for clinical translation.
“My lab is incredibly grateful to Castaways for providing us with seed funding that generated data we leveraged into federal funding and multiple peer-reviewed papers, helped develop the careers of our trainees and establish the foundation for a clinical trial,” said Dr. Cimmino, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Miller School and co-leader of the Aging and Cancer Working group for Sylvester. “This is exactly why seed funding is so important, especially for junior faculty such as myself, to help at the early stages of our careers.”
Recognizing Research Award Recipients
These are just a couple of examples of the numerous research projects Castaways Against Cancer has helped fund through its $1.5 million commitment:
• Jonathan Trent, M.D., Ph.D.: Targeting Oncogenic Pathways in Chemotherapy-Resistant Sarcoma Cells
• Jaime Merchan, M.D.: Novel Combinatorial Strategies to Enhance Viral Oncolysis in Renal and Colon Cancers
• Juan Alderuccio, M.D.: Evaluating Circulating Tumor DNA for Molecular Response in a Phase II Lymphoma Trial
• Dr. Lombard: Developing Small Molecule Inhibitors of SIRT5 as New Potential Treatments for Ewing Sarcoma (epigenetics)
• Ramin Shiekhattar, Ph.D.: Targeting BRAF & EGFR Mutations in Cancer: Novel Therapeutic Approaches and Challenges (epigenetics)
• Martin Rivas, Ph.D.: Chromosomal Regulation in Leukemia and Breast Cancer (epigenetics)
• Dr. Cimmino: Investigating How Metabolism and Micronutrients Influence Blood Cancer Progression to Identify Targeted Interventions for Clinical Translation (epigenetics)
• Lluis Morey, Ph.D.: Identifying Effective Therapeutic Strategies to Improve the Overall Survival of Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer (epigenetics)
• Justin Taylor, M.D.: Blood Cancer-Associated Alterations That Occur in the Nuclear Export Protein XPO1 (epigenetics)
• Jonathan Harry Schatz, M.D.: Identify and Understand the Molecular Mechanisms that Cause Resistance to Specific Therapies for Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas
• Namrata Sonia Chandhok, M.D.: Establishing a CHIP Clinic for Early Cancer Detection
• Zane Zeier, Ph.D., and Nagi Ayad, Ph.D.: Computational Approaches for Identifying Effective Treatments for Pediatric Brain Tumors
Preparing to Paddle, Peddle and Pace
On June 6, the Castaways will set off on their 2026 Ring the Bell Tour “honoring the red, white and bruise,” a reference to the grueling physical challenge participants will undertake. A committed team of paddlers will complete an arduous, 160-mile journey from Miami Beach to Key West. They will meet up seven days later with runners and cyclists who completed a 170-mile course, along with supporters, lovingly referred to as landlubbers, to celebrate the completion of the Castaways 27th annual event.
This year’s Ring the Bell theme has a dual meaning, with a nod to the Liberty Bell as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence and to the victory bell cancer patients often ring to signify the completion of their treatment protocol.
Tags: cancer, cancer care, cancer research, Castaways Against Cancer, Dr. David Lombard, Dr. Luisa Cimmino, Dr. Stephen Nimer, philanthropy, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center