September 24, 2023 – The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the nonprofit organization committed to achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer, today announced a $1 million gift from a partnership between Dolphins Challenge Cancer, the signature philanthropic initiative of the Miami Dolphins, and AutoNation, America’s most admired automotive retailer. The gift, which will be distributed over four years, will be dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the relationship between social determinants of health, specifically, geographic location and environmental stress, and breast cancer mortality.
Representatives from BCRF, Dolphins Challenge Cancer, and AutoNation announced the partnership on the field at Hard Rock Stadium prior to kickoff of today’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. The partnership launch video, featuring Dr. Goel and Jaelan Phillips, the Miami Dolphins linebacker who also serves on the Board of Directors for Dolphins Challenge Cancer, played throughout the stadium and the organization representatives and local breast cancer thrivers were presented with pink commemorative footballs marking the occasion. Game attendees also had the opportunity to purchase a special-edition “Tackling Cancer” lapel pin in the Miami Dolphins merchandise store, which was created by AutoNation with a Dolphins Challenge Cancer co-branded design. For each pin sold, 100 percent of the purchase price was donated to BCRF.
In the United States, breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death. Tremendous medical advancements over the last three decades have yielded earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments, resulting in an overall 43 percent decline in breast cancer deaths. However, such progress has not reached all communities equally, due, in part, to social, personal, financial, and informational barriers. While all races and ethnicities are affected by breast cancer, minorities encounter significant disparities in breast cancer screening, care, treatment, and outcomes, compared to their white peers.
This gift will fund a project led by BCRF investigator Dr. Neha Goel, to be conducted at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, which is nearby the Fort Lauderdale headquarters of both Dolphins Challenge Cancer and AutoNation. The research project will enhance the understanding of the links between neighborhood stress and aggressive breast cancer biology, as studies show that women living in low-income neighborhoods have a higher breast cancer mortality rate compared to those in affluent neighborhoods. The drivers of this survival gap are multifactorial and intrinsically linked to the racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes.
“We are so grateful for the commitment of our long-time partners at AutoNation and the support of Dolphins Challenge Cancer,” said BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry. “Dr. Goel’s research will help to define how one’s neighborhood, right here in South Florida impacts their breast cancer, not just in terms of access to care, but also in terms of its influence over the tumor’s characteristics and behavior and ultimately, their survival outcomes. This partnership is providing us with the ability to identify the deeply complex role that social determinants of health such as environmental stress and neighborhood play in breast cancer mortality.”
“As a Miami Dolphin and Dolphins Challenge Cancer Board member, I’m proud to team up with AutoNation to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” said Jaelan Phillips, a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins. “Despite slightly lower rates of breast cancer, black women are 40% more likely to die of the disease than white women. And despite lower rates of breast cancer, Hispanic and Latino women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages with more aggressive forms of the disease.”
“This funding will continue to support the Miami Breast Cancer Disparities Study which I started approximately three years ago to understand the multilevel nature of disparities, particularly focusing on understanding how where one lives impacts breast cancer outcomes,” said Dr. Goel, member of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, associate professor of surgery in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery at the Miller School of Medicine and John K. and Judy H. Schulte Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. “Our goal is to understand how neighborhood-level factors impact outcomes, and most importantly operationalize our research findings to inform interventions leading to impactful change and ultimately elimination of disparities.”
Dr. Goel says she is extremely humbled and honored to be funded by the Miami Dolphins, AutoNation, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. “These organizations are impactful players in the cancer research space and are really leading by example in our shared quest to inform novel cancer control interventions geared to improve the lives of all our patients by ending cancer disparities.”
Breast cancer recently became the most common cancer worldwide, underscoring the rising and urgent need for research. BCRF is proud to be the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world and the highest rated breast cancer research organization in the United States.
About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in the best minds in science—and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration—to examine every aspect of the disease from prevention to metastasis. Our approach accelerates the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need. We can’t stop now. Join us in fueling the world’s most promising research. With you, we will bring the end of breast cancer into focus. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org.
About Dolphins Challenge Cancer
The Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) was founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins organization as the signature initiative of the Foundation’s health impact area and has become the largest fundraising event in the NFL. The DCC’s purpose is to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $64 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For more information, visit www.DolphinsChallengeCancer.com.
About AutoNation
AutoNation, a provider of personalized transportation services, is driven by innovation and transformation. As one of America’s most admired companies, AutoNation delivers a peerless Customer experience recognized by data-driven consumer insight leaders, Reputation and J.D. Power. Through its bold leadership and brand affinity, the AutoNation Brand is synonymous with “DRVPNK” and “What Drives You, Drives Us.” AutoNation has a singular focus on personalized transportation services that are easy, transparent, and Customer-centric.
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About Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth — University of Miami Health System and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center in South Florida. We are known as South Florida’s leader in patient-focused cancer research and care and offer the only phase 1 clinical trials program in the region. Sylvester is a High Performing cancer center among the nation’s top 10% in leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and in colon, lung, ovarian, prostate and uterine cancer surgeries. With a network of 10 outpatient treatment facilities throughout South Florida, Sylvester operates 15 site disease groups including transplant and cellular therapy and skin, thoracic, myeloma, lymphoma, gynecological, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, neuro-oncology, sarcoma, pediatric, endocrine, leukemia/hematology, breast and head and neck cancers.
