Breast Cancer Research Foundation Receives $1 Million Donation From the Miami Dolphins and AutoNation

AutoNation’s DRV PNK campaign has donated more than $35 million to charitable community partners.

Representatives of AutoNation, Inc. and the Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) were recently recognized during the Miami Dolphins home opener against the Denver Broncos at Hard Rock Stadium for their new commitment of $1 million to address health disparities linked to social, economic and environmental factors. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) will receive the donation to fund groundbreaking research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to advance the scientific understanding of the relationship between social determinants of health, specifically neighborhood disadvantage and breast cancer mortality. AutoNation’s partnership with DCC and BCRF is part of its decade-long DRV PNK mission to drive out cancer, which has donated more than $35 million to charitable community partners to generate awareness and support critical research and treatment of cancer.

The Dolphins Challenge Cancer was founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins organization as the signature initiative of the foundation and it has become the largest fundraising event in the NFL. Since its inception, the DCC has raised over $64 million, donating 100% of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. Jaelan Phillips, the Miami Dolphins linebacker who also serves on the Board of Directors for Dolphins Challenge Cancer, helped announce the initiative through a partnership launch video during the game. 

“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,” Phillips says. “Despite slightly lower rates of breast cancer, black women are 40% more likely to die of the disease than white women. And despite lower breast cancer rates, Hispanic and Latino women are more likely to be diagnosed with more aggressive forms of the disease at later stages.”

A special-edition “Tackling Cancer” lapel pin was available for purchase at the Miami Dolphins merchandise store during the game. AutoNation designed the pin with a Dolphins Challenge Cancer co-branded design and 100% of the purchase price was donated to BCRF.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite significant medical advancements in the last 30 years, resulting in earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments, social, personal, financial, and informational barriers still contribute to disparities in breast cancer care outcomes across different communities. While breast cancer affects people of all races and ethnicities, minorities face more significant disparities in breast cancer screening, care, treatment, and outcomes.

The $1 million donation received by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation will fund a project led by Dr. Neha Goel, a BCRF investigator. The research project will be conducted at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, located near the Fort Lauderdale headquarters of both Dolphins Challenge Cancer and AutoNation. The project investigates the links between neighborhood stress and aggressive breast cancer biology. Studies have shown that women in low-income neighborhoods have higher breast cancer mortality rates than those in affluent areas. The drivers of this survival gap are multifactorial and intrinsically linked to the racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. The research project funded by the donation will improve the scientific understanding of these links.

“We are so grateful for the commitment of our long-time partners at AutoNation and the support of Dolphins Challenge Cancer,” says 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.”

Image Credit: Miami Dolphins

Photo caption: (L-R) Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center MD, Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Surgical Oncology, Surgical Oncology Nipun Merchant; Dolphins Challenge Cancer Board Chairwoman Elizabeth Jenkins; AutoNation Cancer Survivor and Sr. Specialist of Customer Marketing Susan Miller; AutoNation Chief Executive Officer Mike Manley; Breast Cancer Research Foundation Chief Scientific Officer Dorraya El-Ashry; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, MD, Breast Surgical Oncology, Cutaneous (Skin) Surgical Oncology, Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Surgical Oncology, Surgical Oncology Neha Goel; Breast Cancer Research Foundation Managing Director of Business Development Lisa De Luca; Dolphins Challenge Cancer Executive Director Javier Sanchez.

You May Also Like
Holy Cross Health Launches Healing Heroes Program To Honor Healthcare Workers Who Provide Compassionate Care

Patients can now recognize exceptional care while supporting Holy Cross Health’s mission.

Read More
Baptist Health Breaks Ground on New Facility in Pembroke Pines

Baptist Health’s Pembroke Pines facility will combine outpatient services with emergency and specialty care.

Read More
Galatea Bio Secures $25M to Develop Global Biobank

Investment aims to scale next-gen diagnostics, drug discovery, and real-world data integration.

Read More
il Mulino’s Generous Tradition Continues: 100 Meals Donated to Holy Cross Health Team Members

Annual Tradition Recognizes Vital Behind-the-Scenes Teams

Read More
Other Posts
Jewish Family Home Care Awarded Three 2025 Best of Home Care® Awards

Activated Insights Awarded JFHC their Leader in Experience, Employer & Provider of Choices Awards.

Read More
United Way of Broward County to Host 2nd Annual National Addiction Solutions Summit

The Summit will address important topics such as the cost of a preventable overdose and the solution for new prevention and innovative strategies.

Read More
Preserving Muscle When You’re on GLP-1s

Rapid weight loss can lead to muscle loss and a slowing metabolism making it harder to maintain results. Prioritizing protein intake is essential for long-term success.

Read More