Miami HEAT, Miami Cancer Institute and Entercom team up in the fight against cancer
MIAMI — October 3, 2019 — Three leading South Florida organizations – the Miami HEAT, Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute and Entercom – are kicking off year two of a distinct philanthropic partnership in the fight against cancer: “HEAT.HELP.CURE.,” representing, “Join the HEAT. You can HELP. Find a CURE.”
The multi-faceted initiative brings together the power of the Miami HEAT, the hope and promise of Miami Cancer Institute, the reach of Entercom South Florida’s most popular radio stations, and the South Florida community, all for one purpose: To build a world without cancer.
Proceeds raised through every facet of the HEAT.HELP.CURE initiative will support groundbreaking cancer research and care at Miami Cancer Institute, which opened in 2017 and now cares for more than 1,000 patients daily.
Miami Cancer Institute provides unparalleled expertise in the prevention, treatment and survivorship of individual cancers, and access to the world’s latest cancer discoveries, most effective treatments and best outcomes – all right here in South Florida.
“Every day, cancer researchers and physicians at Miami Cancer Institute work tirelessly to build a world without cancer,” said the Institute’s CEO and Executive Medical Director Michael Zinner, M.D. “Our community can make a genuine impact through this significant partnership.”
“HEAT.HELP.CURE. is about our community coming together as a team in the fight against cancer,” said Baptist Health’s Executive VP and Chief Administrative Officer Joe Natoli. “It’s us versus cancer.”
HEAT.HELP.CURE. encompasses several action-packed events:
- The Miami HEAT will host its “Red, White & Pink Game,” an open scrimmage October 6 at 4 p.m. at AmericanAirlines Arena. The game is open to the public, with tickets available via the Miami HEAT App, Ticketmaster.com or the Ticketmaster App. Tickets cost only $1.00 each, with proceeds benefiting cancer care and research at Miami Cancer Institute.
- On-air talent from Power 96 (WPOW-FM), 101.5 LITE FM (WLYF-FM), 102.7 The Beach (WMXJ-FM), AM 790 The Ticket (WAXY-AM) and 104.3 The Shark (WSFS-FM) will each participate in the “HEAT.HELP.CURE. Radiothon,” broadcasting live from the plaza at AmericanAirlines Arena on November 13. From 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, listeners can donate to Baptist Health Foundation to benefit Miami Cancer institute. The radiothon will feature interviews with Miami HEAT players who have been affected by cancer, coaches, patients who have been treated at Miami Cancer institute and doctors who care for those patients.
- On November 16, the first community-wide “Dribble Drive Against Cancer” will take to the streets of Miami in an event like no other. Novice and experienced dribblers alike can raise funds for the cause by dribbling a basketball at their own pace with three routes to choose from:
- The Dribble Drive Challenge, 13.8 miles from Miami Cancer Institute to AmericanAirlines Arena
- The Dribble Drive, 3.3 miles from Vizcaya Village to the arena
- The Dribble Drive Dash, around the perimeter of the arena
Dribble Drive Challenge (13.8-mile) participants will receive a signature “pineapple” basketball autographed by Bam Adebayo and a photo at the arena with a HEAT player or legend. Dribble Drive (3.3-mile) participants will receive two free tickets to a Miami HEAT game. Individuals and teams can register by visiting HEATHELPCURE.org.
All five participating Entercom stations will join the community in the Dribble Drive. Kicked off by AM 790 The Ticket midday show co-host and Miami HEAT broadcast reporter Jonathon Zaslow, the Dribble Drive will feature station talent dribbling from Miami Cancer Institute to AmericanAirlines Arena. Listeners are encouraged to join them and donate as they dribble and walk.
“This is a cause that all of us at the Miami HEAT a
re passionate about,” said Miami HEAT EVP and Chief Commercial Officer John Vidalin. “So many of our lives have been touched in some way by cancer. And through the Red, White & Pink Game, the Radiothon and the Dribble Drive Against Cancer, we hope to inspire our entire community to support Miami Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission.”
“We invite our listeners throughout South Florida to tune in across all five stations November 13 to hear inspiring stories from members of the Miami HEAT organization and Miami Cancer Institute patients, doctors and nurses,” said Keriann Worley, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom South Florida.
Learn more at HEATHELPCURE.org.
About Miami Cancer Institute
Miami Cancer Institute is Florida’s only next-generation cancer treatment destination, known for its personalized clinical care and research, compassionate patient experience and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the only radiation oncology program in the world with each of the latest radiation therapies in one place. The Institute offers an impressive roster of established community oncologists and renowned cancer-fighting experts, clinical researchers and genomic scientists recruited from the nation’s top cancer centers. As Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, Miami Cancer Institute is part of a deep and functional collaboration that affords patients access to innovative treatments right here at home and ensures that the standards of care developed by our multidisciplinary disease management teams match those at MSK.
Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based 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 by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. 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 AmericanAirlines Arena. The HEAT is a three-time NBA Champion having won titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013 and is a celebrated leader in every discipline of the business of basketball. AmericanAirlines Arena, home of the HEAT, is a LEED Gold Recertified, award-winning, state-of-the-art facility, which hosts over 150 events per year. AmericanAirlines Arena has maintained its position as the #1 Arena in Florida for the fourth consecutive year, has claimed the #11 spot in the United States, and has placed #22 in the world according to Pollstar’s 2018 year-end rankings of the world’s top arenas. The Arena is located on the waterfront in the thriving arts and entertainment district in downtown Miami. For more information, please visit HEAT.com and AAArena.com.
About Entercom Communications Corp.
Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) is a leading American media and entertainment company reaching and engaging over 170 million people each month through its premier collection of highly rated, award winning radio stations, digital platforms and live events. As one of the country’s two largest radio broadcasters, Entercom offers integrated marketing solutions and delivers the power of local connection on a national scale with coverage of close to 90% of persons 12+ in the top 50 markets. Entercom is the #1 creator of live, original, local audio content and the nation’s unrivaled leader in news and sports radio. Learn more about Philadelphia-based Entercom at www.entercom.com, Facebook and Twitter (@Entercom).
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CONTACTS:
Baptist Health
Georgi Pipkin
786-527-9524
[email protected]
Entercom
Jennifer Morales
212-649-9685
[email protected]
Miami HEAT
Lorenzo Butler
786-570-1882
[email protected]
