July 1, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

The extraordinary team of doctors, clinicians, researchers, faculty, and staff at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center work tirelessly every day to prevent and eradicate cancer. The University of Miami is honored to once again partner with the Miami Dolphins for Dolphins Cycling Challenge V, which benefits Sylvester’s critical lifesaving mission. The Dolphins Cycling Challenge has permanently moved to a new time frame—the weekend after the Super Bowl. DCC V is scheduled for February 7 and 8, 2015. Bicyclists can choose to ride along various routes that range from as little as 13 miles up to 170 miles and travel through 37 cities in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. This exciting and inspiring event provides our community with an opportunity to unite around the goal of conquering cancer.

Thanks to the dedication of riders, sponsors, and volunteers, last year’s ride raised $3.1 million. More than 2,400 cyclists and nearly 500 volunteers 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. One hundred percent of the funds raised by participating riders benefit Sylvester and go toward the compassionate patient care and leading-edge research that make it a world-class cancer center.

There are several opportunities to get involved:

• RIDE: Choose from various bicycle routes that range from 13 to 170 miles.
• VIRTUAL RIDE: Want to support Sylvester but don’t want to ride? Register as a virtual rider and fundraise for Sylvester.
• WALK: A new 5K Run/Walk will be held Sunday, February 8, on the Sun Life Stadium premises. Participants will finish on the field, similar to how our riders finish.

Once again Shira Kastan-Goldstein, associate vice president of strategic relations for Sylvester, will lead the University’s efforts. Get involved: If you are interested in serving as a “block captain” for your department or school to help recruit and engage our UM community, family, and friends in the DCC, please email us at ridedcc@miami.edu. With your help, we hope to increase overall participation and surpass last year’s outstanding achievement. Special prizes and opportunities to showcase your individual department logo will be available to our captains and their respective departments.

The University of Miami will pay ALL registration fees—$150 for riders, $25 fee for virtual riders, and $50 fee for walkers—for UM faculty, staff, and students who register as part of Team UM Sylvester, led by Dr. Jerry Goodwin, Sylvester’s chief medical officer, by Thursday, July 31. This offer does not apply if you register under another team. If you are interested in taking advantage of the special offer, please send an email to ridedcc@miami.edu with your name, department, and telephone number. For more information on the Dolphins Cycling Challenge, visit ridedcc.com.

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?