The Miami Dolphins today announced the Dolphins Cycling Challenge (DCC), a two-day, 170-mile trans-Florida charity cycling event to benefit Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. This major community initiative, which will be held this inaugural year on November 19-21, is a collaborative effort between the Miami Dolphins Foundation and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Miami Dolphins Vice-Chairman Jorge Perez, Miami Dolphins Chief Executive Officer Mike Dee, University of Miami President Donna Shalala, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D. made the announcement at a special news conference and pep rally at the University’s Miller School of Medicine earlier today.
“Under Steve Ross’ leadership, we have made a commitment to make a difference in the communities we serve. The Miami Dolphins family, like so many families throughout South Florida, has been deeply impacted by cancer. The Dolphins Cycling Challenge is being created to inspire all South Floridians to join together to tackle this terrible disease, one mile at a time. Our region is fortunate to have Sylvester – a world-renowned cancer, research and treatment center. On behalf of all of the future DCC riders and volunteers, we look forward to collaborating with President Shalala and the talented team of doctors, nurses and researchers to provide critical support necessary for Sylvester to expand its extraordinary work,” Dee said.
On the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, thousands of cyclists from Florida and across the country are invited to bike between 30 and 170 miles across three South Florida counties to raise funds to support cancer research and treatment at Sylvester. The Dolphins Cycling Challenge is open to the public and will include various options for riders of all experience levels including a DCC “Kids Ride” for children between the ages of 3 and 13. Individuals and teams interested in participating in the Dolphins Cycling Challenge are encouraged to visit www.RideDCC.com.
On the first day of the ride, entrants will participate in a 100-mile-long “Century Ride” from Downtown Miami to West Palm Beach where cyclists will enjoy an end-of-the-ride celebration at City Place. The second day features two options for participants: a 70-mile ride from City Place in West Palm Beach to Sun Life Stadium or a 30-mile ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Sun Life Stadium. For child and pre-teen riders, Dolphins Cycling Challenge will offer various courses set-up on the grounds of Sun Life Stadium.
The Dolphins Cycling Challenge will commence with an official Kick-off Party on November 19 at Miami’s Bayfront Park and culminate on Sunday, November 21 at Sun Life Stadium with an on-field celebration to honor those who participated in raising funds for cancer research and treatment. A “Kids Ride” will also take place on this day at Sun Life Stadium for kids and pre-teen riders. For information on the kids ride is available at www.RideDCCKids.com.
“The Dolphins Cycling Challenge will play a critical role in helping us achieve Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s mission to transform research and treatment in South Florida, while reducing the terrible human burden that cancer brings,” said Shalala. “We are so grateful to Steve Ross, Mike Dee, Jorge Perez and the entire Miami Dolphins organization for presenting us with this opportunity to create a legacy event that will deliver tremendous benefits to our community for generations to come.”
All riders that commit to ride more than 70 miles will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the Miami Dolphins game versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, December 5th. Riders who attend the game will be honored in a special on-field pre-game ceremony celebrating their fundraising efforts.
The news conference and pep rally also featured Miami Dolphins alumni Kim Bokamper and Jim Mandich; WRMA-FM’s Barbara Garcia and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa. The news conference opened with a procession featuring the University of Miami marching band and toddlers on tricycles who led Dee and Shalala dressed in full cycling gear on bicycles to the podium.
In honor of Miami Dolphins alum and radio voice Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich, the Dolphins team will be named “Team Mad Dog.” Mandich is currently being treated at Sylvester and will be joined on “Team Mad Dog” by Dolphins executives and alumni including Dee, VP and Dolphins great Nat Moore along with Zach Thomas, Kim Bokamper and more.
“I have never been prouder to be a part of this organization. The commitment to South Florida and leaving a legacy beyond the field of play is what makes the Miami Dolphins unique. Whether you’re a diehard Dolphins homer or someone who has been affected in some way by this epidemic, I invite you to join the team and ride for a cause that touches all of us,” said Mandich.
The DCC is actively seeking participants, volunteers and corporate sponsors for this inaugural event. For more information, please visit www.RideDCC.com.
About the Miami Dolphins Foundation
The Miami Dolphins Foundation is devoted to providing and supporting signature education, health, youth athletic programs and volunteer activities that inspire and engage communities throughout Florida.
About the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine opened in 1992 to provide comprehensive cancer services and today serves as the hub for cancer-related research, diagnosis, and treatment at UHealth—University of Miami Health System. Sylvester handles 1,300 inpatient admissions annually, performs 3,000 surgical procedures, and treats more than 4,300 new cancer patients. All Sylvester cancer specialists are on the faculty of the Miller School of Medicine, South Florida’s only academic medical center. In addition, Sylvester physicians and scientists are engaged in more than 200 clinical trials and receive $41 million annually in research grants. Sylvester at Deerfield Beach opened in 2003 to better meet the needs of residents of Broward and Palm Beach counties, and now offers appointments with 30 physicians from 14 of Sylvester’s 15 Site Disease Groups, complementary therapies from the Courtelis Center, and education and outreach events. Sylvester recently opened a satellite facility in Kendall as well. http://www.sylvester.org