What began as a friendly competition in 2021 led Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to become deeply involved with the Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC). After training extensively with former Miami receiver Mack Hollins—who was on the DCC board—Phillips accepted Hollins’ challenge to complete a 100-mile bike ride.
“Mack is a psychopath when it comes to training,” Phillips told Dolphins HQ host Travis Wingfield. “So he was like, ‘Come do the 100-mile bike ride with me.’ And so I was like, ‘Sounds good, sounds like a challenge.’”
The experience left a lasting impact on Phillips, who was inspired by the overwhelming community support and the thousands of participants rallying behind the cause. He soon joined the DCC board, a role he still holds.
As South Florida prepares for the 15th Annual DCC on Saturday, the mission to raise funds and ultimately find a cure for cancer remains as urgent as ever.
Receiver Braxton Berrios emphasized the importance of proactive cancer research, telling Travis Wingfield, “You have 99 problems in this world until you have a health problem, then you have one problem.” He stressed that the goal is to stay ahead of disease by being proactive rather than reactive, adding, “Find a cure before a cure is needed, and that’s why I think we’re both so passionate about it.”
Since its founding in 2010, the Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) has become the NFL’s largest fundraising event, raising over $75 million for cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participants can run or walk a 5K or cycle one of four routes named after Dolphins legends: the 13-mile Dan Marino ride, 39-mile Larry Csonka ride, 54-mile Zach Thomas ride, and 99-mile Jason Taylor ride. The last event drew over 7,000 participants, including around 460 cancer survivors, according to Dolphins president and CEO Tom Garfinkel.
Garfinkel described the Dolphins Cancer Challenge as deeply rewarding, emphasizing that cancer affects nearly everyone in some way. “It’s amazing to see a community come together like this,” he said. The Dolphins have a strong partnership with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute-designated center, and had initially pledged $75 million by 2026. However, that goal was surpassed after the 2024 event, highlighting the community’s overwhelming support for the cause.
Phillips noted the growing impact of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, saying, “The first year I did it, it was a big event… but these last two years, you can tell that people are really coming together to push DCC.” He credited the board, Dolphins staff, and the community for their increasing support. Although he missed last year’s event while recovering from a torn Achilles, Phillips is thrilled to participate in this year’s 13-mile ride on Saturday.
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