Miami Dolphins and Susan G. Koman Host Yoga Night for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

About 1 in 8 women (about 12%) will develop breast cancer sometime during their lifetime. Every October, the NFL raises money and brings awareness to breast cancer. On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins and Susan G. Koman hosted an event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

More than 60 women participated in an evening of yoga at the Nova Southeastern University campus with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain and members of the Dolphins cheerleaders squad. The group performed a number of yoga poses with music in a very relaxed setting.

“This is a phenomenal event hosted by the Dolphins and we’re thrilled for our survivors, this is a great way to bring them together in the community and show them support,” Susan G. Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale Executive Director Cathy McCarthy said. “It’s very difficult for a lot of these survivors to do a lot of other activities. Yoga is such a wonderful activity where you get centered mentally and physically. And the comradery – it’s just like being on a team, like the Dolphins team. It’s all about being here with people together who have been through your battle.”

While McCain isn’t an expert on yoga, he did enjoy coming out for a great cause.

“I’m not a yoga expert, but I did my best, said McCain. ” You see a lot of strong women who have pushed through with perseverance, that have really come very far in life. This event shows that the NFL cares, it shows that we all care. It’s not just a football game, and it’s not just guys out there playing ball, we care about what happens in the world and what happens to people and that’s what the NFL stands for.”

According to breastcancer.org, besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2015, it’s estimated that just under 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers.

McCarthy and the Susan G. Komen have funded local grants in the South Florida area to help with screening, education and support. 75 percent of Susan G. Komen’s net funds are awarded grants while the other 25 percent is dedicated to cancer research. Last year, they raised $800,000 to 27 different grantees. Since 2008, Susan G. Komen has given $5.1 million to University of Miami researchers.

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