Record-Breaking Fundraising and Participation at Dolphins Challenge Cancer XIV

The NFL’s top fundraising event brought in almost $12 million for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer facility, the only NCI-designated cancer facility in South Florida, thanks to the contributions of 6,702 attendees.

The 14th annual Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC XIV) held on February 24 at Hard Rock Stadium was a moment for South Florida cancer survivors, their families, and friends to celebrate personal successes, honor loved ones, and look ahead to the future with hope.

The head of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., stated, “We could not ask for a better teammate than the Miami Dolphins.” “They have demonstrated an unmatched commitment to funding cancer research at Sylvester. We are getting closer to a world without cancer every year thanks to the funds raised by the DCC, which enable Sylvester to attract and retain some of the brightest minds in the field of cancer research. These funds also give these experts the resources they need to develop novel discoveries and life-saving therapies.

One Team, One Fight

DCC XIV, which had the theme “One Team, One Fight,” topped the $10.5 million generated for cancer research in 2023 and broke the previous year’s record for participation. With 6,702 participants in the end, the program’s $75 million goal was met and more than $12 million was raised for Sylvester.

The largest fundraising event in the NFL is this year-round Dolphins-led program, where 100% of the proceeds benefit Sylvester.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross stated, “We are two years ahead of schedule on our commitment to raise $75 million.”

Many Dolphin players, both past and present, participated in the DCC, which, according to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, is an inspirational event that demonstrates the community’s dedication to combat cancer.

Four bike rides, with lengths matching the jerseys of the Miami Dolphins players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, were part of DCC XIV. These included the 13-mile Dan Marino ride, presented by Aetna; the 39-mile Larry Csonka ride, presented by Robins and Morton; the 54-mile Zach Thomas ride; and the 99-mile Jason Taylor ride, which was finished by Dr. Nimer, who is also the executive dean for research at the Miller School and holds the Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, while captain of Team Hurricanes Sylvester.

The DCC XIV riders started and finished their journey at the start/finish line of the Miami International Autodrome racetrack, where family and friends cheered them on from AutoNation’s Mad Dog Cheer Zone.

The 5K walk/race, sponsored by Amazon, featured a climb to Hard Rock Stadium’s third level and a portion of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix course. In addition, the Miami International Autodrome area featured a plethora of exhibitors, food, drink, and enjoyable activities for the whole family, as well as a thrilling performance by 10-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan and a Kids Zone.

A Life-Saving Partnership

The chair of the Sylvester Board of Governors, Jayne Malfitano, expressed gratitude to the Dolphins team for their support and mentioned that the close ties between the two organizations are fostering discoveries that will improve care for cancer patients and survivors. According to Rudy Fernandez, chief of staff and executive vice president of University of Miami operations, combating cancer is a true team effort.

He continued, “Not a day goes by without someone in our community contacting Sylvester.”

The FL-25 representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, a breast cancer survivor, reaffirmed her dedication to defeating cancer.

“We think about cancer every day as survivors,” the woman remarked. “Therefore, in order to increase the number of survivors, celebrate more birthdays, and save more lives, it is imperative that we invest in critical research and prevention.”

Irene Nowell, who defeated lung cancer in 2012, was one of the numerous Sylvester survivors.

“I consider myself fortunate,” she remarked.

Others, meanwhile, were not as lucky. In 2020, Tate Dumler’s father, Doug, passed away from cancer, and other friends of Ashley Dumler have also succumbed to breast cancer.

With six other family members, Adria Atkins wore pink tutus as she participated in the 5K walk in memory of her sister Daisy Atkins, a Sylvester administrator and active DCC member who lost her life to breast cancer.

She remarked, “We are here to honor her memory and to support Sylvester’s research that could save lives.”

Cancer Survivorship Programs

In addition to pioneering therapies and research, DCC XIV funds Sylvester’s creative survivor initiatives. At the Living Proof exhibit, hundreds of survivors, including Lynette Hickenbottom, “rang the bell” throughout the day to represent Sylvester’s life-saving treatment.

Later in the day, when Tracy E. Crane, Ph.D., RDN, director of lifestyle medicine, prevention, and digital health at Sylvester and co-lead of the Cancer Control Program, greeted more than 100 participants in the company’s “Believe in You” program, survivorship took center stage.

The clinical program director for lifestyle medicine at Sylvester, Paola Rossi, M.D., M.S., continued, “I am very passionate about this program.” “You are bringing our vision for our survivors to life.

Dozens of first responders took part in the 5K walk in full gear as part of the DCC XIV, having attended the 2024 International Firefighter Cancer Symposium, which was arranged by Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) team on February 22–23.

David Perez, a Collier County firefighter who has survived cancer twice, was joined on stage by twelve other first responders who gave a $2,500 check as a token of appreciation for Sylvester’s national leadership in raising awareness and offering advice on lowering the risk of fatal cancers. Thanking the firemen for their generosity was Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate director of community outreach and engagement at Sylvester and holder of the John K. and Judy H. Schulte Senior Endowed Chair in Cancer Research.

Supporting the DCC

Three major donors that made significant contributions to the success of DCC XIV were AutoNation, The Pap Corps, and Lennar Corporation. The Berkowitz Pollack Brant & Provenance Wealth Advisors-sponsored Heavy Hitter experience was available to anyone who raised more than $3,000 toward their fundraising target. Paycor sponsored the Corporate Team Village, where corporate teams were accommodated concurrently. One of the main corporate sponsors of the event is the legacy partner Lennar Foundation, and the Living Proof Program was provided by the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation.