As the University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer Center continues to find a cure for cancer and treat patients stricken with the deadly disease, one Miami Lakes event is helping them financially with their efforts.
The 4th annual Miami Lakes Cars for Cure raised about $29,000 last month and the proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Center for local research in finding a cure.
The classic car showcase, which is sponsored by Auto Nation and The Graham Companies, has been collecting proceeds for four years and will continue to do so for many years to come.
The event raised $23,000 last year and surpassed its benchmark in 2018, but the final numbers won’t be determined until later this month. The event’s organizer, Roberto Alonso Jr., said he hopes to hand over a check in the amount of more than $30,000 to the University of Miami.
“We are still receiving checks,” he said.
According to the American Cancer Society, each year, 12.7 million people in the U.S. discover they have cancer and 7.6 million die from the disease.
Federal, state and local governments cut some funding over the years for cancer treatment centers. The proceeds from the Miami Lakes Cars for Cure helps oncologists and scientists in their efforts to zero in on a cure for cancer.
Alonso knows cancer all to well.
His father succumbed to the deadly disease in 2013 shortly after Roberto Alonso Sr. founded the first classic car show on Main Street.
The father was Miami Lakes’ first-ever vice mayor and held the position for four consecutive years.
Following his father’s death, Alonso repackaged the classic car show to feature food, entertainment and fun activities for the kids, but more importantly, raise money and awareness for cancer.
This year, the event attracted more than 5,000 participants, the most since its birth and Alonso said the social gathering will get bigger and better each year.
Besides the cars, Milos’ Craft Beer’s beer garden was popular among the guests, and the food and entertainment won them over as well.
“We’re thankful for the beer garden and the donors, and the volunteers who help run the event,” Alonso said. “I thank the volunteers for making the event a success.”
Alonso said people can still donate money to the Sylvester Cancer Center.
He also expressed his gratitude to the event’s sponsors.
“I thank them for their continue support,” he said. “Without them and the community, we wouldn’t have a successful event.”
He said the classic car show means a lot to people who are affected by cancer.
“The event is for them and we will continue it for them,” he said. “So many families are very proud and the Miami Lakes is so supportive for this cause.”
Alonso is already planning out next year’s event, which is scheduled for Sunday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Next year will be bigger and better,” he said. “No matter how big the event gets, we are going to keep it on the iconic Main Street. We will stay loyal to Main Street.”