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Bounce Back from Cancer, a partnership between Baptist Health Foundation and the Miami Heat, once again will unite the South Florida community to dribble or walk on Sunday, Mar. 12, and raise funds towards this year’s goal of $2.5 million to benefit Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, a part of Baptist Health Cancer Care.
Now in its fifth year, Bounce Back from Cancer is a grassroots, community-wide, family-friendly event that has raised a cumulative $3.5 million for research at the Institute since 2018. In 2022, the event hosted nearly 750 registered participants and 3,100 unique donors.
Participants and teams can choose to dribble or walk a 14.2- or 2-mile course — from either Miami Cancer Institute or The Underline’s Brickell Backyard — to the Miami Heat’s arena. Donations are pledged in support of a participant or team. All participants receive a signature Pineapple Basketball to dribble at the event as well as a Bounce Back “swag bag” of branded merchandise. Participants who complete the 14.2-mile Bounce Back Challenge will receive a basketball autographed by a Miami Heat player.
Miami Heat team captain and Miami native Udonis Haslem reprises his role this year as Bounce Back from Cancer brand ambassador. He will greet and rally participants at The Underline the day of the event and lead the celebration at the arena at the end of the walk.
“We’re excited about how Bounce Back from Cancer is shaping up in 2023,” said Joe Natoli, chief administrative officer for Baptist Health. “We’ve already received $1.5 million in sponsorships and donations, surpassing last year’s total. The community’s support of Miami Cancer Institute and Bounce Back from Cancer is growing, with more teams and participants than ever before.”
A new component has been added to the 2023 event — MVP and All-Star fundraisers, who commit to raising $50,000 and $2,500 respectively. These “key players” are an elite group of fundraising champions who are responsible for 60 percent of the funds raised for the cause, and eligible for special recognition, autographed jerseys and other opportunities.
“We are so grateful to all those who have signed up to become MVPs and All-Stars,” said Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation. “This cause is very meaningful to many, especially Miami Cancer Institute patients and their families, who want to give back to a place that has had a tremendous impact on their lives.”
Richard A. Berkowitz, JD, CPA, chair of Bounce Back from Cancer and managing and executive chair of Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs, added, “We each have a chance to make a difference in the level of cancer care in our community. One hundred percent of the money raised by participants goes to life-saving research at Miami Cancer Institute. Our MVPs and All-Stars lead the charge, but every person who donates and participates makes an impact.”
For more information about Bounce Back from Cancer, visit HeatHelpCure.org.
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