The seventh annual Dolphin’s Cancer Challenge (DCC) was hosted Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and is the largest of its kind in the National Football League. The event saw record participation this year with over 4,000 people registering to bike, walk or run with the goal of raising money for cancer research.
“We’re proud to have our largest turnout of participants in our seven-year history. The more fundraisers we have, the larger the donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for vital cancer research,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President & Executive Director of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge Jennifer Jehn said in a press release.
The event kicked off Friday night with a party at Hard Rock Stadium. Executives, players and alumni mixed and mingled with participants as they geared up for the DCC and picked up their credentials. The next morning, bikers started at locations all over south Florida with rides ranging from 14 to 100 miles long. They made their way to the Hard Rock Stadium finish line where they were greeted by vendors, animals and a private concert by Counting Crows.
There was no shortage of celebrities present. The University of Miami was proudly represented with over 800 participants registered including Head Football Coach Mark Richt who was there with players J. Callan, Romeo Finley, Jaquan Johnson, Diego Marquez, Tyreic Martin, Tyree St. Louis, Sunny Odogwu, Mark Walton, Cade Weldon, Cedrick Wright and Malek Young. Also present was Miami Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel, Miami Dolphins Alum Dick Anderson, Sylvester Board of Governors Chair Adam Carlin and NASCAR Driver Scott Lagasse. They all participated in the celebrations, greeting fans and taking selfies with children in the “Kids Zone.” Sebastian the Ibis was also spotted giving piggyback rides.
“I just think they enjoy being around people,” said Richt. “Probably mostly being with the kids. They get excited when they see the Miami Hurricane Jerseys, the Miami Dolphin Jerseys, and they just get a chance to, you know, just be a kid again and I think they enjoy that.”
The event has raised over $4.2 million this year bringing the total amount raised to $16.5 million. Funds are still being collected through March 31st, 2017.
“We are so grateful and would like to thank everyone who participated in the DCC today,” Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., said in the press release. “It was inspiring to see so many people gather together to raise money for cancer research at Sylvester. Friends and families were cycling, running, walking or volunteering so we can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.”
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge will continue raising funds for cancer research with its second annual DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament on April 21, 2017. The tournament is another chance for cancer fighters to golf and interact with athletes and other celebrity guests. One hundred percent of the funds raised from the golf tournament will benefit Sylvester.
Photo Credit: The Daily Dolphin