Dolphins cancer initiative

During the halftime celebration of the Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on October 24th, the Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) offered a contribution high of $6.3M in support of funding innovative cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The center is a part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System.

To raise awareness and drive fundraising, the DCC also provided fans with a series of game-day initiatives. During the first, second and third quarter, the Dolphins featured an in-game stationary spin bike to bring awareness to the fundraising mission of the DCC with participation from Break the Cycle Founder Maurice Hanks, Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative Founding Director Dr. Erin Kobetz and Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Special Projects and Alumni Relations Nat Moore.

At halftime, the team celebrated 50 firefighters leading the fight against cancer from the DCC’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative and concluded with a check presentation from the DCC to Sylvester of the $6.3M dollars raised during DCC XI.

“I want to thank Stephen Ross, Tom Garfinkel and the entire Dolphins organization for helping to bring a focus on the importance of cancer research to the health of our community,” said Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. “The team’s presentation of a $6.3M check from the DCC as well as the Dolphins’ $75M commitment to Sylvester, exemplifies our shared vision of making breakthroughs in cancer prevention, cancer treatments and in curing more patients.”

Following a $75M commitment to Sylvester in November 2020, the Dolphins hosted the DCC XI as the first event to take place both virtually and in-person gaining the support of more than 3,390 participants on Saturday, April 10, 2021. The event raised a record breaking $6.3M bringing the initiative’s eleven-year total to more than $45.5M.

The Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) was founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins organization and has become the largest fundraising event in the NFL. The organization is scheduled to host DCC XII on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.