Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; District 7 Commissioner Raquel Regalado, and Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department director Maria I. Nardi joined the leadership of Castaways Against Cancer on Saturday, June 8, to officially inaugurate a section of Hobie Beach on Key Biscayne as Castaways Against Cancer Beach.
For the past 25 years, the local non-profit has used the Hobie Beach site to launch an annual kayaking trip to Key West that raises money for the fight against cancer.
“Cancer does not discriminate; most of us know someone who has been affected by this disease,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I am very proud of this effort to honor those impacted by cancer and those who fight against it, by renaming this beach that holds so much significance for so many.”
The renaming was unanimously approved by Miami-Dade County commissioners, who wanted to honor Castaways Against Cancer for all the years the organization has raised awareness and funding for cancer research through its yearly 170-mile, weeklong sea voyage.
“Castaways Against Cancer has dedicated a quarter of a century to supporting those affected by cancer and advancing research for a cure,” said Miami-Dade County District 7 Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who spearheaded the effort. “I am grateful for their service and very pleased to play a part in furthering their critical cause.”
This year’s Castaways Against Cancer kayaking trip set sail from the newly minted namesake beach on Saturday, June 8, at 7 a.m.. They carried with them a banner containing over 2,000 names of cancer patients who contributed to their fundraising efforts.
“Our parks bring the community together. They are places of resilience, strength, and healing. We are thrilled to acknowledge the work of Castaways Against Cancer by renaming this section of Hobie Beach Castaways Against Cancer Beach,” Nardi said.
“This is one of the most exciting things that’s ever happened to us. We got our start as four guys on a kayak, determined to bring hope to the terrible darkness that cancer brings. We never imagined how big our movement would grow. It’s truly humbling,” said Captain of the Castaways Eric Pino, adding that the organization’s goal now is to “raise as much money as possible to end this terrible disease.”
