Sylvester Was Big Winner in Duty Free Americas’ Charity Golf Tournament

Updated Feb. 28, 2023

Thanks to a new partnership with Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC), the fundraising initiative of the Miami Dolphins Foundation, the eighth annual Duty Free Americas’ (DFA) Charity Golf Tournament raised $1 million to support innovative cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHeath – University of Miami Health System.

This year’s tournament was the most successful to date in terms of money raised and number of attendees. The Miami Dolphins organization was out in full force to show support for their new partners, DFA and The Falic Family Foundation, the charitable arm of the leading duty-free travel retailer in the Western Hemisphere. Dolphins Quarterback Skylar Thompson and former players O.J. McDuffie, Terry Kirby, Jed Weaver, Mark Duper and Shawn Wooden were among the 172 golfers.

A record $500,000 was raised from the Feb. 8 event, which included an 18-hole scramble golf tournament and an evening dinner reception with a silent auction and raffle. This was matched dollar for dollar by DCC for a total gift of $1 million to Sylvester.

“What an exceptional event our eighth DFA Charity Golf Tournament turned out to be,” said Jerome Falic, chief executive officer of DFA and principal of The Falic Family Foundation. “We cannot express enough how grateful we are for the generosity of our sponsors and everyone who attended this wonderful event. We are proud to call them our partners. And, of course, we want to deeply thank the Miami Dolphins again for matching the monies raised to support the lifesaving cancer research conducted by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“Given the resounding success of DFA’s annual fundraisers, we hope that the upcoming years will provide even greater opportunities to contribute to the well-being of our community,” Falic said.

The $1 million donation will help fund the groundbreaking research taking place at Sylvester, the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Florida and the region’s top-ranked cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

“It is a privilege to welcome Duty Free Americas and The Falic Family Foundation to our team. Together with DCC, we are ‘one team, one fight’ changing the narrative of cancer,” said Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., who is also the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and executive dean for research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “Their generous gift will bolster DCC’s efforts to fuel the impactful research of Sylvester physicians and faculty and aid us in discovering innovative treatments to help those with cancer live longer.”

DCC’s primary fundraiser is an annual 5K run/walk and 15-, 35-, and 55- and 100-mile bicycle rides. DCC XIII took place Feb. 25 at Hard Rock Stadium. The event, which is the largest fundraising event in the National Football League, has raised more than $53 million since its inception, with 100% of participant-raised funds going to Sylvester.

Dolphins Challenge Cancer, Duty Free Americas, and The Falic Family Foundation tee up to support Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC), the fundraising initiative of the Miami Dolphins Foundation, has teamed up with Duty Free Americas and The Falic Family Foundation to raise $1 million in support of lifesaving cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of UHealth – University of Miami Health System.

Through the new alliance, each organization made a $500,000 commitment to Sylvester. The Falic Family Foundation, the charitable arm of the leading duty-free travel retailer in the western hemisphere, has pledged to donate the proceeds from its annual Duty Free Americas’ Golf Tournament. This year’s tournament, its eighth annual, will take place on February 8 at the Trump National Doral Golf Club. The sold-out event features an 18-hole scramble golf tournament followed by an evening reception with cocktails, dinner, and a silent auction and raffle.

The partnership between the DCC, Duty Free Americas, and The Falic Family Foundation was announced at the Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers football game on December 25, with an on-field presentation in anticipation of the $1 million joint gift to be presented to Sylvester at the golf tournament.

“The DCC is all about bringing our community together to make a greater impact,” said Dolphins Challenge Cancer Executive Director Javier Sanchez. “We’re proud to partner with Duty Free Americas and The Falic Family Foundation in support of Sylvester.”

“We could not be more proud to have raised over $1 million for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in conjunction with the Miami Dolphins,” said Jerome Falic, chief executive officer of Duty Free Americas and a principal of The Falic Family Foundation. “Over the past eight years, the Duty Free Americas’ Annual Golf Charity Tournament has raised millions of dollars to support hospitals, medical research, youth development programs, and other important causes. This year’s event reflects our ongoing commitment to give back to our community by funding initiatives such as those that seek to understand and overcome devastating diseases like cancer.”

The golf tournament precedes DCC’s biggest fundraiser, an annual 5K run/walk and 15-, 35-, 55- and 100-mile bicycle ride. DCC XIII takes place on February 25 at Hard Rock Stadium.

“Funds raised through DCC events, and those of its partners, support impactful cancer research leading to innovative discoveries and life-saving treatments,” said Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., who is also the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and executive dean for research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “We are excited to have Duty Free Americas and The Falic Family Foundation join our mission. Together with DCC, we are ‘one team, one fight’ changing the narrative of cancer.”

Tags: DCC VIII, Dolphins Challenge Cancer, Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, Duty Free Americas, Javier Sanchez, Jerome Falic, Miami Dolphins Foundation, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Falic Family Foundation