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For the fourth straight year, two of South Florida’s most prominent organizations – the Miami HEAT and Baptist Health – have teamed up to help raise funds for Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute. The partnership’s key initiative, HEAT. HELP. CURE., held its third annual Bounce Back from CancerTM event on Sunday, March 13. Miami HEAT team captain Udonis Haslem – aka UD – served as the event’s celebrity ambassador and social media influencer. He was on hand to cheer on participants at the FTX Arena finish line and lead the post-dribble celebration.
The event brought together more than 3,100 unique donors, including cancer survivors and their supporters, leaders and staff from the Miami HEAT and Miami Cancer Institute, sports fans and community members to help fulfill the Institute’s vision of a world without cancer. Together participants raised more than $1.39 million to support groundbreaking cancer research and clinical trials at Miami Cancer Institute. Fundraising will continue until April 15, 2022.
“The level of support for HEAT. HELP. CURE. and Bounce Back from CancerTM has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Baptist Health’s Executive VP and Chief Administrative Officer Joe Natoli. “We are thrilled that this grassroots effort has been growing year over year, engaging so many whose lives have been affected by this devastating disease.”
Participants in Bounce Back from CancerTM had three fundraising options:
- Bounce BackTM – Dribbling a basketball or walking 2 miles
- Bounce BackTM Challenge – Dribbling a basketball or walking 14.2 miles
- Benchwarmer – fundraising for the cause
Registered participants received a “swag bag” with items from the Miami HEAT and other corporate partners, as well as a Baptist Health signature “Pineapple” basketball. Participants in the 14.2 mile challenge received a basketball autographed by Udonis Haslem, as well as a photo opportunity with him or HEAT legends Alonzo Mourning and Glen Rice.
Miami Cancer Institute, which opened in 2017, cares for an average of 1,200 patients each day. The Institute provides unparalleled expertise in individual cancers, and access to the world’s latest cancer discoveries, most effective treatments and best outcomes – all right here in South Florida.
“At Miami Cancer Institute, we’re inspired by the support of the Miami HEAT and those who have literally gone the distance to raise critical funds for research,” said the Institute’s CEO and Executive Medical Director Michael Zinner, M.D. “Every dollar raised through Bounce Back from CancerTM will help further the work we’re doing and save lives.”
“The Miami HEAT organization is a proud to join forces with Baptist Health and Miami Cancer Institute,’ said EVP and Chief Commercial Officer for The HEAT Group John Vidalin. “We hope that the success of HEAT. HELP. CURE. and Bounce Back from CancerTM will motivate others in South Florida to get involved, and get us closer to a cure.”
In addition to the Miami HEAT, sponsors for Bounce Back from CancerTM included FTX US; S&K Worldwide Realty / Terra; ServiceNow; Adelanto HealthCare Ventures, L.L.C.; AT&T; Berkowitz Pollack & Brandt Advisors + CPAs; Florida Blue; Florida Power & Light Company; RepublicaHavas and Team FootWorks.
About Miami Cancer Institute
Miami Cancer Institute brings to South Florida access to personalized clinical treatments and comprehensive support services delivered with unparalleled compassion.
For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About The HEAT Group
The HEAT Group is comprised of the National Basketball Association’s Miami HEAT and the 19,600-seat FTX Arena. For more information, please visit HEAT.com and FTX Arena.com.
