Produce Industry And Miami Dolphins Alumns Team Up To Tackle Diabetes

It was another great team effort at the Don Strock Diabetes Golf Classic led by event hosts former Miami Dolphins Quarterback Don Strock and The Produce Connection President Bruce Fishbein at the Miccosukee Golf & Country Club Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Celebrity and amateur golfers in attendance helped raise more than $106,000 for the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at this year’s tournament, which was presented by Dade Media and Arthur H. Hertz.

Miami Dolphins alumni, other NFL pros, and  local radio personalities, including Dan Marino, Kim Bokamper, Eddie Hill, Scott “Froggy” Langley and John "Footy" Kross brought their A-games to try to help their respective foursomes win. They played an 18-hole tournament over three courses, which was followed by a cocktail hour and an awards dinner – where they enjoyed a delicious buffet and dessert. Guests also bid on priceless autographed sports memorabilia, art work by South Florida artists, exclusive golfing memberships and experiences, and more during live and silent auctions.

During the dinner program, attendees heard from DRI Foundation’s Jill Shapiro Miller, who thanked Strock and Fishbein for their commitment to a cure over the last 33 years and showed a video of the recent DRI BioHub pilot trial candidate Wendy peacock. Peacock has been living insulin free since receiving  an islet cell transplant at the DRI in August, and it’s thanks to events like this tournament – which helps raise critical funds to move research along.

Strock and Fishbein then took to the stage to thank all who have helped make this event one of South Florida’s longest running celebrity/amateur charity golf tournaments, including the presenting sponsors and golf sponsor Lennar Corporation.

Fishbein also took time to give special thanks to fellow colleagues of the produce and shipping industries who have largely helped support this tournament including Global Perishable Services LLP, Southern Corporate Packers, King Ocean Services, Sierra Produce, Sotolongo Farms, The Produce Connection, M & R Produce Distributors, Mr. Greens Produce, Quality First Produce, Next – Port, Inc; and Tropical Shipping. Fishbein once again noted how united this industry is when it comes to supporting a great cause such as this one.

Other sponsors who made the event possible were: Miccosukee – the Tribe of Indians of Florida, Norm Heinrich, Joe Slater; Esserman International, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Miami Dolphins, Miami HEAT, Pollo Tropical, Heineken, Mutual of America, Warren Henry Auto Group, Boar’s Head, Legal-Eze, and Minuteman Press.

The evening closed out with trophy presentations for winning teams, the announcement of money board and raffle winners, and prizes for individual golf contests – which included Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive, and the check presentation to the DRI.

About the Diabetes Research Institute and Foundation

The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine leads the world in cure-focused research. As the largest and most comprehensive research center dedicated to curing diabetes, the DRI is aggressively working to develop a biological cure by restoring natural insulin production and normalizing blood sugar levels without imposing other risks. Researchers have already shown that transplanted islet cells allow patients to live without the need for insulin therapy. Some study participants have maintained insulin independence for more than 10 years. The DRI is now building upon these promising outcomes by developing a DRI BioHub, a bioengineered “mini organ” that mimics the native pancreas. While various BioHub platforms are being tested in preclinical and clinical studies, the DRI is also developing strategies to eliminate the need for anti-rejection drugs and reset the immune system to block autoimmunity. For more information, please visit DiabetesResearch.org, call 800-321-3437, or Tweet @Diabetes_DRI.

Source: Diabetes Research Institute