June 6, 2012
Dear Colleagues,
Cancer has touched nearly all of us, whether directly or through a loved one, and Florida has the second-highest incidence of cancer cases in the country. Ensuring that South Florida has a world-class center of compassionate patient care and leading-edge research devoted to preventing, curing, and eradicating cancer is a compelling priority for everyone who calls this region home.
The University of Miami is honored to once again partner with the Miami Dolphins in the third Dolphins Cycling Challenge benefiting Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Created to inspire South Floridians to work together to “tackle cancer one mile at a time,” the event delivers 100 percent of the funds raised by participating riders to Sylvester, advancing research and treatment for patients across South Florida and beyond.
In this year’s Dolphins Cycling Challenge, scheduled for November 3 and 4, bicyclists can ride any of six different bicycle routes that range from 30 to 170 miles and go through 37 cities in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. This exciting and inspiring event provides our community an opportunity to unite around the shared goal of conquering cancer—a goal that is tirelessly pursued by the clinical care and research teams of Sylvester.
Thanks to the dedication of riders, sponsors, and volunteers, last year’s ride raised more than
$1 million. More than 860 cyclists, ages 3 to 84, and nearly 450 volunteers from the Dolphins special teams program participated in the event. With the University of Miami community’s help, we hope to increase overall participation and surpass last year’s outstanding achievement in 2012.
Among this year’s participants will be the newly named director of Sylvester, Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. A world-renowned leukemia expert from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Nimer will continue to build on Sylvester’s superb leadership in cancer care and research.
I have asked Rudy Fernandez, vice president for government and community relations, to lead this effort throughout the University, and Rudy will soon be reaching out to you to get involved. I challenge each of our departments and schools to appoint a captain to help recruit and engage our University community, family, and friends in the Dolphins Cycling Challenge. To get involved, please send an email to dccride@miami.edu with your contact information. Whether you ride, fund raise as a virtual rider, or volunteer, we hope you’ll consider taking part in what’s becoming a South Florida tradition.
Let’s celebrate our loved ones, friends, and colleagues who have won the fight against cancer, and honor the memory of those who have lost their lives to this destructive—but far from invincible—foe. Join the ride and, together, we’ll tackle cancer one mile at a time. Who will you be riding for?
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