The Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) today in Miami hosted the second of two Fall Family Fests, giving kids the opportunity to be cancer fighters. Partnering with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, children ages 3-16 participated in a kids ride on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables and last week at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale with their families. Both events featured activities for the entire family, including a kids zone with bounce houses and other inflatables, animal exhibit, face painting, food trucks, an adult beer garden, and other entertainment.
“The Fall Family Fest is an opportunity for kids affected by cancer to fight back and raise money for cancer research,” Dolphins Cancer Challenge CEO Michael Mandich said. “Cancer does not discriminate, and it touches all of us. The children who were part of our first Fall Family Fests raised more than $25,000, showing that cancer fighters come in all shapes, sizes and ages.”
More than 500 kids came out to ride and raise money in the inaugural Fall Family Fests. The events were supported by many local companies, including cornerstone partners Lennar and AutoNation as well as Aetna, All4Cycling, Bilzin Sumberg, Harcourt & Virginia Sylvester Foundation, Hunt Construction, iHeartMedia, New Belgium, Premier Beverage, South Florida Ford, Stearns Weaver, TD Bank and Ultimate Software.
“We are tremendously grateful to the DCC and their passion for raising funds for cancer research,” Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Dr. Stephen D. Nimer said. “The funds raised at events like this Sunday’s Fall Family Fest are crucial in our quest to discover and develop the precision treatments of tomorrow. In addition, we’re excited about getting children interested in science because they are the cancer researchers of tomorrow.”
The Fall Family Fests were opportunities for families to learn more about the Dolphins Cancer Challenge. DCC VI will be held February 20, 2016 with all routes leading to the stadium. Participants can choose to ride 13-100 miles or run or walk in the DCC 5k. DCC VI will culminate with a finish line concert celebration with Grammy-Award winners Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge. For more information on the Dolphins Cancer Challenge and to register for DCC VI please visit DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.
—DOLPHINS—