Annual tribute marks renewed community commitment in battle against childhood cancer
One in five children loses their fight against childhood cancer every day in the United States. Children in South Florida are no exception. The South Florida community rallied this weekend to renew its commitment to lead the way in treating and helping find a cure for childhood cancer.Nicklaus Children’s andMystic Force Foundation in collaboration with the North Miami Police Department wrapped-up Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by honoring Nicklaus Children’s patient, Salvatore, lovingly known as Sal, who tragically lost his battle 14 years ago.
At the age of 4, Sal was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma cancer. Sal’s parents learned quickly the many challenges that come with having a child with cancer, but also the reality of how little funding is allocated to childhood cancer treatment and research. Knowing the prognosis for Sal was not one they were prepared for, his parents were certain that his legacy would be the beacon of hope for families in South Florida and around the world in this fight against all childhood cancers.
“Nicklaus Children’s Hospital became our home during Sal’s treatment,” said Silvia Vanni, Sal’s mom and Founder of Mystic Force Foundation. “While we were here, we experienced support from staff, hospital leaders and other families, that reminded us we weren’t alone. For that same reason, although my son is no longer here with us, it is our goal to be that same support for other families through our Mystic Force Foundation, until a cure is found for all pediatric cancers.”
As the leading pediatric hospital in South Florida, Nicklaus Children’s is on the frontline of innovation in pediatric cancer treatment and research. Dedicated to providing treatment for more than 200 children with cancer diagnoses yearly, Nicklaus Children’s Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute is focused on each child, individually, with the goal to not only save their life, but save their childhood.
In addition to the world-renowned cancer care offered at Nicklaus Children’s, South Florida’s leading pediatric hospital doubled down in the fight against cancer this year. Since Nicklaus Children’s became the exclusive academic pediatric partner of Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Nicklaus Children’s and FIU have secured grant funds for pediatric research as well as a multi-year, multi-million-dollar commitment from the State of Florida to fund pediatric cancer treatment and research.
“The progress we are making at the Shaham Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute along with FIU and support from our state lawmakers and grant funders is taking the fight against childhood cancer to a new level. This collaboration is unlike anything South Florida has seen before,” said Matthew A. Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “Sal’s legacy and the Gold Ribbon Parade are reminders to all of us that our work is far from over. Today, we celebrate the progress we’ve made and the lives we’ve saved, but this is about the ‘one in five’ children who still lose their battle with cancer. Nicklaus Children’s, FIU, Mystic Force Foundation, and our state lawmakers will not stop. That’s a promise we will keep!”
The Gold Ribbon Parade kicked off atop the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Blue Garage at 3100 SW 62nd Avenue in Miami this Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. Golden ribbon-adorned police, fire and specialty vehicles as well as superhero vehicles were on display. At 10:00 a.m., dozens of parade participants including vehicle drivers and police motors began their trek across Miami-Dade up to Broward County – passing each children’s hospital in South Florida. This experience gives patients, families, and medical staff a chance to engage with the Mystic Force Foundation and local heroes. Nicklaus Children’s inpatient families were able to be a part of the festivities and watch the excitement from the comfort of their hospital room windows.
This year’s Gold Ribbon Parade was proudly supported by Miami Dade County District 4 Commissioner Mickey Steinberg, Batman Florida, Davide De Pas Productions, Elite Outdoor, Exquisite Catering, Hats Off Party & Event Planners, Mobile Mike Public Relations, United SuperHeroes for Kids.
About Mystic Force Foundation
The Mystic Force Foundation was founded in 2008 by Dr. Steven & Silvia Vanni after their then 4-year-old son, Salvatore, was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma Cancer. After a very difficult 3 1/2 year battle, Salvatore passed away in 2011, but he continues to be an inspiration to the community, and his legacy continues to change the lives of all children and families impacted by Childhood Cancer. This year is the Foundation’s 17-year anniversary of raising awareness and desperately needed funds for Childhood Cancer Research, as well as advocacy in Washington, DC, granting ‘Dream Wishes’, holding in-patient hospital parties, offering family financial support, and bringing Hope, Joy, Happiness and Smiles to the littlest Heroes battling Childhood Cancer. They are also celebrating the 7-year Anniversary of The Heroes Hangout, a magical Childhood Cancer Haven located in North Miami Beach that serves children from all over the world treated in all South Florida Hospitals.
About Nicklaus Children’s, Where Your Child Matters Most™
For 75 years, Nicklaus Children’s has stood as a beacon of hope for children and families across the state of Florida and beyond. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children serving close to 70 percent of children in the Miami metropolitan community. In addition, Nicklaus Children’s offers care within NCH North Hospital in Naples, Jupiter Medical Center’s De George Pediatric Unit and select Baptist Health Hospital pediatric emergency units. The hospital and its network of more of nearly 35 outpatient care locations offer lifesaving care in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin, and Palm Beach counties. These outpatient locations include an array of urgent care, pediatric primary care, and subspecialty care centers and are either hospital-based or outpatient locations under Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, LLC (NCPS). Providing a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking research, Nicklaus Children’s is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Nicklaus Children’s is home to centers of excellence including the Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedics, Sports Health and Spine Institute, Nicklaus Children’s Neuroscience Institute and Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute. The 325-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children’s also includes a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary with over 40 specialties, and an ambulatory surgery center. For more information visit,nicklauschildrens.org.
Annual tribute marks renewed community commitment in battle against childhood cancer
