Thousands Support Dolphins Cancer Challenge
A brilliantly sunny South Florida Saturday warmed the already upbeat spirit of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge VII on February 11, as 4,000 participants and volunteers cycled, ran, walked or performed countless tasks to support the search for cancer cures at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
DCC VII’s five cycling routes — the Dolphins Ride (14 miles), the Ft. Lauderdale Ride (25 miles), the Miami Ride (35 miles), the Boca Ride (52 miles) and the Hurricanes Hundred (100 miles) — departed from different locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, but all ended at the finish line in the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, where thousands of family, friends, co-workers and other supporters awaited them with music, cheers, cameras and home-made signs of thanks.
The throng of runners and walkers taking part in the DCC 5K, with Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” blaring from the loudspeakers for inspiration, traveled a 3.1-mile route that began and ended at the stadium.
Most of the participants in the DCC, which has raised more than $16 million for Sylvester since its start seven years ago, have experienced cancer first-hand, either as a survivor or as the family member or friend of someone who was lost to the disease. And every year they show that generosity and determination know no age limits.
By early afternoon, virtually all of the cyclists had completed their long rides, the sun had moved across the sky, putting most of the stadium in the shade, and a large secondary audience was gathering to hear live music.
“What an amazing day!” Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., said to the stadium crowd after finishing the 100-mile ride. “I can’t tell you how special it is to be part of this event. I feel a great sense of accomplishment, particularly when I think about what we’re doing for the community. This allows us to bring life-changing cancer care to you. We talk a lot about things like precision medicine and immunotherapy. What they mean is that now more than ever we give people their life back.”
A gallery of photos from DCC VII:
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Tags: cancer, dolphins cancer challenge, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center