Dolphins Cancer Challenge Sets Participation, Fundraising Records
This year’s event raised more than $14 million to support Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, South Florida’s only NCI-designated cancer center, in the NFL’s largest fundraising event.
More than 7,300 attendees supported survivors and remembered those lost to cancer at the 15th Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) Feb. 22 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. With record turnout and funds raised, this longstanding partnership between the Miami Dolphins and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is leading to discoveries that will result in the best care for both cancer patients and survivors.
“We are very grateful for the longstanding partnership we have with the Miami Dolphins,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester, the Oscar de La Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, executive dean for research and professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular biology at the Miller School. “Thanks to the shared vision of the Dolphins organization, the talented and dedicated cancer physicians and researchers at Sylvester and the engaged and philanthropic South Florida community over the past 15 years, we have made incredible progress in developing new cancer treatments for patients here and around the globe. We are providing more innovative and lifesaving treatments that are reducing the impact of cancer on our community, and are providing more hope and cures for our patients and their families.”
Jayne Malfitano, president of the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation and chair of Sylvester’s Board of Governors, welcomed the crowd, followed by Rudy Fernandez, executive vice president for University of Miami operations and external affairs and chief of staff, who thanked the audience before the 5K challenge start.
Together to Get There
The day’s theme, Together to Get There, highlighted how the quest for cancer cures is truly a team effort. DCC XV once again broke records, surpassing last year’s attendance and funds raised for cancer research. With more than $14 million raised for Sylvester, fundraising will continue until March 13.
This year’s DCC surpassed last year’s record of $12 million raised, bringing the organization’s total contributions to Sylvester to nearly $90 million. In 2020, the DCC made an original commitment of $75 million in donations to Sylvester. Last year, two years ahead of schedule, that commitment was fulfilled. The DCC donates 100% of participant-raised funds to Sylvester and exemplifies the power of collaboration.
Another example of the power that comes from teamwork is Team 620, which featured several Sylvester physicians and staff members who raised nearly $70,000 in memory of a special patient. The team participated in its second DCC to support friends Catherine and Andy Prescott, whose son, Austen, was diagnosed with diffuse intra-pontine gliomas, aggressive and almost always fatal brain tumors. Austen passed away in 2023.
Bradley Gampel, M.D., a pediatric oncologist and member of Sylvester’s Brain Tumor Initiative, felt compelled to participate for Austen and his family, who touched so many lives at Sylvester and beyond.
“The Prescotts are incredible. They have devoted so much time, energy and emotion trying to help others. This is why we do what we do. It just fills your cup up,” he said. “The support given to Team 620 goes toward our main goal of finding effective, less-toxic solutions.”
DCC XV cyclists, as well as participants in the 5K walk/race presented by Amazon, began and ended their journeys from Miami International Autodrome racetrack’s start/finish line. Family and friends took to AutoNation’s Mad Dog Cheer Zone to enthusiastically show their support.
Attendees were treated to an array of vendors, food and drink, plus family fun and kids’ activities, capped off by a live performance from award-winning rock band Third Eye Blind.
Stories of Survival
The Living Proof display’s symbolic bell represented the life-saving care so many attendees received at Sylvester, with survivors ringing the bell frequently throughout the day. Their stories of survival were nothing short of inspirational.
Mark Duper shared what being treated at Sylvester meant to him.
“In this day and age, it’s great to have so many advancements in research to help people like me. It’s money well spent, and now, I’m just really enjoying life and being here today,” he said.
Marta Beaton was enjoying the races and supporting her husband, Nivardo, a survivor treated at Sylvester.
“Sylvester is such an impactful, important place in our community,” she said. “Due to continuous advancements in research, my husband was able to be offered the latest options for treatment.”
Sylvester Spaces
Lifestyle Medicine for High-Risk Cancer PatientsSylvester hosted four distinct spaces to build awareness around its leading initiatives for cancer survivors. At the Prevention, Supportive Care and Survivorship station, guests learned how they can reduce cancer risk via lifestyle choices through Sylvester’s research and services.
Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care, where Sylvester develops support plans for survivors’ well-being, presented Honor Your Doctor for survivors to honor members of their care team with messages of gratitude.
Francisco Saravia, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2012 and treated at Sylvester, visited the station to express his thanks. His message was simple.
“They saved my life,” he said.
At alex’s place, support for Sylvester’s youngest patients was on display as visitors learned how the program helps childhood cancer survivors and their families thrive.
Believe in You and Sylvester’s FCI
Tracy Crane, Ph.D., RDN, director of lifestyle medicine, prevention and digital health at Sylvester, and Paola Rossi, M.D., clinical program director of lifestyle medicine at Sylvester, took the main stage to congratulate the 160 Believe in You program survivors who spent five months training to complete the 5K or a bike ride at the DCC.
Together with Dr. Nimer, Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative (SFCI) approached the stage.
Dr. Nimer, who had just completed his 99-mile bike challenge, addressed the audience and spoke about the higher prevalence of cancer among firefighters, a profession recognized as a class 1 carcinogen, in the same category as tobacco.
He noted that this year is the 10th anniversary of Sylvester’s FCI, which is run by Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., who was completing the 99-mile race, as he stood on stage, shoulder to shoulder with firefighters. He thanked them and the audience for helping raise the funds needed for Sylvester’s cancer research.
“Sylvester FCI’s findings are helping reduce that risk in the future, and the fact that our initiative is inspiring others around the world to replicate our model is only going to help save more lives,” said Sylvester’s FCI Director, Dr. Kobetz, associate director, community outreach and engagement at Sylvester and the John K. and Judy H. Schulte Senior Endowed Chair in Cancer Research.
Enduring Support
DCC XV’s success is due to the generosity of more than 60 community partners that helped ensure every dollar raised funds cancer research. The DCC’s most steadfast supporters include Champion Partners, the Lennar Foundation, The Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation, AutoNation and Shield by Guardant, and “Hero Partners” Sysco, FreshPoint and Amazon. The thousands of participants who contributed by coming together to walk, run or ride experienced a true celebration of hope for the future.
Tags: DCC, dolphins cancer challenge, Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, Jayne Malfitano, philanthropy, Rudy Fernandez, Sylverster Comprehensive Cancer Center