Miami Dolphins host Record Breaking Dolphins Challenge Cancer 100 Mile Ride Raising $5.5M for Cancer Research at Sylvester

April 13, 2021

The Miami Dolphins hosted its eleventh annual Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC XI) on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins hosted its eleventh annual Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC XI) on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Led by its iconic 100-mile ride throughout the most scenic parts of South Florida, the DCCis the largest fundraising event by any sports franchise raising funds for life-saving cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System.

“The cycling community has grown over the past year and we were ready for it!” Miami Dolphins Foundation Director of Development & Partnerships Javier Sanchez said. “Year after year, the DCC welcomes countless corporations, philanthropists, cancer survivors and leading cancer researchers in support of our mission. This year was one like no other but it felt great to be able to host a safe, meaningful and impactful in-person event again.”

Recognized by Cadence Sports in the top 10 of “America’s Top Cycling Fundraising Events,” the DCC XI 100-mile ride presented by UKG hosted a record-breaking participation with 375 riders registered from across the nation. To date, fundraising efforts for this year’s event has raised more than $5.5 million and will continue to accept donations until Friday, April 23 through dolphins.donordrive.com.

“I enjoyed every second of riding the Hurricane century ride for the ninth year in a row,” Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., said. “Little did I know when I moved to Miami from New York in 2012 that I’d be riding my road bike all winter long in order to train for this amazing event. We’re raising millions of dollars for cancer research and we get to ride with our friends and neighbors, our colleagues, and with cancer researchers and hundreds of cancer survivors.”

Led by the slogan, “it’s a ride, not a race,” the popular philanthropic community event emphasizes the controlled experiential elements of camaraderie, cooperation and cause.With virtual and in-person participation options, the DCC offers 100, 50, 35 and 15-mile bike routes with paces that welcome both avid cyclists and first timers in addition to a 5K run/walk with 100 percent of participant raised funds donated to Sylvester.

“We’ve embraced the 100-mile distance, so it’s without surprise that it’s grown the way it has,” Len^XPresident, Sylvester Board of Overseers, & DCC Executive Board Member Eric Feder said. “As a cancer survivor, this event means my life but professionally speaking, the network of riders makes this one of the best networking events I’ll be at all year.”

Feder and the DCC team he captain’s, Team Lennar, has participated in the DCC ride for the past ten years and have collectively raised close to $10 million.

“It’s exciting to see the Miami Dolphins and University of Miami coming together in a powerful partnership,” Pareto Holdings Founder and Shutterstock Founder & Executive Chairman Jon Oringer said. “The DCC is making our community healthier both through this fun and collaborative fitness challenge and by raising much-needed funds for life-saving cancer research.”

“We formed at the start of the pandemic focused on filling a void for the black community and somehow created a movement of black and brown cyclists who ride for a purpose,” Break the Cycle Founder Maurice Hanks said. “Our weekly bike rides allow for a safe way to get out of the house, connect with new people and to stay physically fit during COVID-19. This was our first year participating and we had 41 participants riding the 100-mile ride. As we say in BTC; one band, one sound.”

Founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins Foundation, the DCC’s purpose is to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at Sylvester. Since its inception, the DCC has contributed more than $39.2 million in unrestricted gifts. In November of 2020, the Miami Dolphins organization announced a $75 million transformative gift commitment to Sylvester, the largest known philanthropic pledge in sports. For more information, visit DolphinsChallengeCancer.com.      

CONTACT:

Paola Argueta, Dolphins Communications, pargueta@dolphins.com (703) 663-0292

 —DOLPHINS—