Cancer Link helps raise funds for local research You need only to look around your neighborhood to find a group of women and men raising millions of dollars for breast cancer research under the banner of Cancer Link. Not only is the money being raised locally, but it all stays in South Florida.
Cancer Link is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to finding an ultimate cure for breast cancer through research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
In 1987, at the request of the University of Miami, Marlene Berg founded Cancer Link. The founding mission was centered on education and raising awareness about breast cancer. Early on, Berg and a handful of other volunteers held a luncheon to honor a friend who had died of breast cancer. They raised about $2,000 and decided to donate this money to Dr. Fred Moffit at UM, who was providing free mammograms to women in need, and Dr. Diana Lopez, who continues doing research on breast cancer and is an active member of the Cancer Link working committee.
Over the years, the Cancer Link organization has been given numerous awards from UM for their continued efforts.
Last year, with Berg, co-presidents Diane Madden and Ivette Martino-Sarol, a hard-working committee of 80 volunteers, very generous sponsors and various community partners, Cancer Link raised $240,000. Importantly, none of the money raised was used to pay staff or overhead because Cancer Link has no paid staff and it partners exclusively with UM Sylvester. These moneys were donated directly to five doctors doing research on a cure for breast cancer.
This year, the new co-presidents, Mary Rosenberg and Harriet Shapiro, will continue to further Cancer Link’s mission. Amajor fundraiser luncheon, fashion show, silent auction and raffle for 750 people will take place on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Jungle Island. The group also is working to bring in new sponsors and hopes to have the continuing support from other charity events which donate proceeds to Cancer Link such as Think Pink Feel Teal Rock ‘N’ Run event and the Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club annual golf tournament.
If you want to learn more about the Cancer Link organization, become a sponsor or community partner, or are interested in attending the Oct. 8 luncheon event, go to http://sylvester.org/community/community-partners/cancer-link or call 305-243-9088.
