Dolphins Cheerleaders, CEO Mike Dee, Christina Mandich , Joe Rose, Nat Moore, Michael Mandich, Kim Bokamper, Donna Shalala and Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt
Over 860 cyclists, including over 160 children and 21 cancer survivors, took part in the 2nd Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge (DCC) on November 5th and 6th. The goal of raising $1 million for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer is in sight with three weeks remaining before fundraising closes in December.
This major community initiative benefits the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. One-hundred-percent of the rider-generated fundraising goes directly to cancer research and patient support services. The two-day event featured six different bicycle rides from 30 to 170 miles that went through 37 cities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Last year’s inaugural ride had 311 adult riders, 100 kids and raised $533,000. Donations will be accepted through December. Anyone can donate by visiting www.RideDCC.com.
“The Dolphins Cycling Challenge made an even larger impact in its second year, and is a tribute to the dedication of our riders, volunteers, donors and sponsors,” said Mike Dee, Dolphins CEO. “We’re proud that 100% of the rider generated funds will stay right here in South Florida and help Sylvester provide world-class cancer research and treatment in our community.”
On the first day of the ride, entrants participated in a 100-mile-long “Century Ride” from Sun Life Stadium to West Palm Beach. New to this year’s Challenge was the Miami Homecoming Loop, a 40-mile ride from Sun Life Stadium to Sylvester in Miami and back up to Sun Life Stadium, and the Palm Beach Loop, a 40-mile ride. The second day featured two options for participants: a 70-mile ride from CityPlace in West Palm Beach to Sun Life Stadium, or a 30-mile ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Sun Life Stadium. These rides offered participants the unique experience of riding on I-595 before culminating the ride through the players’ tunnel and an on-field celebration at Sun Life Stadium. Notable riders in this year’s ride included Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Zach Thomas, Bob Griese, and other Dolphins alumni and community leaders.
Jim Mandich was in everybody’s hearts as they started the ride early Saturday morning. Along with remembering Mandich at the start, the team dedicated the first water stop after him. From now on, the first water stop will be in memory of Mandich and will bear the name of 88 Mad Dog Lane. Along with the water stop dedication, many riders rode in honor of Mandich on Team Mad Dog, which raised almost $150,000 and included notables Kim Bokamper, Mike Dee and Nat Moore.
“I was blown away by the amazing support that the Cycling Challenge has received from the community,” said Bonnie Mandich, Jim’s wife. “To know that a generous check of this magnitude will be donated to the Sylvester Cancer Center made all of the effort really worthwhile. Cancer unfortunately touches everyone. When it does, it is important to have a world-class cancer facility in your hometown. That’s what these funds are dedicated to and, at the end of the day, great resources will be raised to find a cure for cancer. I know Jim is smiling down proudly on all of the riders and probably saying, ‘ALLLLRIIIGHT MIAMI.’”
The two-day charity event was also made possible by the generous support of sponsors that included Amgen, Breakaway from Cancer, Mack Cycles as well as Sun Life Financial, Publix, Ford, Downtown Bicycles,Giant Bicycles, Contender, Conchy Joe’s, Stearns Weaver, FedEx and WFOR-CBS4.
For more information on the Dolphins Cycling Challenge, or to make a donation, please visitwww.RideDCC.com.
