South Florida Community Will Dribble for a Cure at 2025 Bounce Back from Cancer™
MIAMI, FL – February 5, 2025 – Bounce Back from CancerTM, a partnership between Baptist Health Foundation and The Miami HEAT, will once again unite community members to dribble or walk on Saturday, March 15, 2025, and fundraise towards a $5 million goal to benefit Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health Cancer Care.
Now in its sixth year, Bounce Back from CancerTM is a community-wide, family-friendly grassroots event that has raised over $10.5 million cumulatively for research and clinical trials at the Institute since 2018. In 2024, the event raised $4 million, hosted nearly 1,800 registered participants and was supported by 7,000 donors.
This year, participants and teams can choose to dribble or walk one of three courses to the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami: 14.2 miles from Miami Cancer Institute; six miles from Coconut Grove; or two miles from The Underline’s Brickell Backyard. 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 or legend.
Miami native and former HEAT team captain Udonis Haslem reprises his role this year as Bounce Back from CancerTM brand ambassador. He will rally participants at The Underline the day of the event and lead the celebration at the arena at the Kaseya Center.
“This initiative means a lot to me,” said Haslem. “It’s given me hope that we can make an impact against this devastating disease that’s affected several members of my family. And the fact that it brings together so many people from all walks of life to raise funds for research by dribbling a basketball — that makes it truly special.”
The 2025 event features three top fundraising levels: MVPs, who commit to raising a minimum of $50,000; Champions, who raise $25,000; and All Stars, who raise $2,500. These “Hall of Famers” are collectively responsible for 60% of the funds raised for the cause and eligible for special recognition, autographed jerseys and other opportunities.
“We are thrilled that so many have stepped up and become fundraising leaders for Bounce Back,” said Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation. “This is a cause that people are passionate about, and their enthusiasm is contagious. We have businesses, organizations and schools involved. It’s helped us build on our fundraising success year after year.”
Jorge Rico, co-founder and managing partner of MBF Healthcare Partners and co-chair of Bounce Back from CancerTM added, “I am so proud to be a part of this initiative, and encourage everyone who has been touched by this disease to join us. Funding research is the most effective way to defeat cancer. Together we can support advances in treatment and eventually a cure.”
For more information about Bounce Back from CancerTM, visit BounceBackfromCancer.net.
About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 28,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and the Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
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