StacheStrong is proud to be entering year three of a four-year, $1 million partnership with the Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. To mark the moment, the team created a video capturing what this partnership means, in the words of the people living it every day.
One Team, One Fight
The partnership between StacheStrong and the Dolphins Cancer Challenge was formally announced on July 17, 2024, Glioblastoma Awareness Day. The commitment: $1 million over four years directed to the Sylvester Brain Tumor Institute, the region’s only NCI-designated cancer center.
Sylvester takes a multidisciplinary approach to glioblastoma research, bringing together clinicians, surgeons, translational scientists and basic scientists. All experts. All focused on the same goal: better outcomes for patients facing one of the most difficult cancers to treat.
In the video, Colin sits down with Dr. Shaw, a researcher and surgeon who has been part of StacheStrong’s grant-making since the beginning. What Dr. Shaw shares is exactly why this work matters so much.
“Over the last three years, that money has literally gone from the lab to patients. We started a clinical trial treating patients now with FDA approved drugs. And we’re seeing benefit in our patients.”
That is not a promise, that is progress. Right now. For real patients.
Why This Partnership Matters
For Colin, this is personal. It always has been.
“Being in a position to not only provide hope for families and patients diagnosed with glioblastoma but also be a catalyst for change by teaming up with Dolphins Cancer Challenge to support the incredible work Sylvester scientists are doing is something I’m truly passionate about. I dream of a day when someone diagnosed with glioblastoma doesn’t have to go through what I saw my brother, GJ, endure. I’m confident, through this partnership, better treatments and a cure are within reach.”
The DCC shares that conviction. Executive Director Javier Sanchez put it plainly: “The StacheStrong collaboration plays a critical role in advancing the DCC’s mission and life-saving initiatives. We are proud to support the Gerner family as they honor GJ’s glioblastoma battle by funding targeted research efforts at the new Sylvester Brain Tumor Institute.”
And from Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.: “The funding through this partnership will go a long way to support Sylvester’s mission to tackle the most challenging cancers, and glioblastoma is high on that list.”
The Bigger Picture
The DCC event that Colin attended this year brought together more than 8,000 people and has raised over $100 million to date for cancer research. StacheStrong is proud to be a part of that community, one that understands that progress against a disease like glioblastoma requires everyone showing up together.
As Colin said on the day: “One team, one fight is more than a mantra for DCC. It’s something that really attracted us to them, because there is one team, one fight between Sylvester, StacheStrong and the DCC.”
StacheStrong has now funded over $7 million in brain cancer research across 65+ grants at 40+ institutions. Every dollar raised by this community, at events, marathons, fundraisers, and partnerships like this one, is making a measurable difference in the lab and in the lives of patients today.
Year three. One team. One fight. Let’s keep going.
To support StacheStrong’s mission to fund glioblastoma research, visit stachestrong.org/donate.