South Florida Produce Industry & Miami Dolphins Alums Team Up To Tackle Diabetes At Don Strock Diabetes Golf Classic

It was another great team effort at the Don Strock Diabetes Golf Classic led by event hosts philanthropistBruce Fishbein and former Miami Dolphins Quarterback Don Strock at the Miccosukee Golf & Country Club earlier this month. Celebrity and amateur golfers in attendance helped raise more than $125,000 for theDiabetes Research Institute (DRI) at this year’s tournament.

Each year, the event is largely sponsored by the Lennar Foundation and Fishbein’s former South Florida produce and shipping industry colleagues including Global Perishable Services LLP, Aloha Freightways, Inc., Premier Produce, King Ocean Services, Sotolongo Farms, M & R Produce Distributors, Mr. Greens Produce, Sierra Produce, Quality First Produce, Crystal Valley Specialty Produce, Next-Port, Inc., Pine Island Tomato Farms, and Tropical Shipping.

Along with local businesses, the tournament is also supported by Miami Dolphins alumni and local celebs, including Dan Marino, Kim Bokamper, Nat Moore, Miami HEAT TV commentator Tony Fiorentino, radio’sJohn "Footy" Kross, and more.

The players brought their A-games to try to help their respective foursomes win and raise money for a cure – playing an 18-hole tournament over three courses that day. The afternoon on the green was followed by a cocktail hour and an awards dinner – where guests enjoyed a buffet and dessert. Guests also bid on priceless autographed sports memorabilia, exclusive golfing memberships and experiences, and more during live and silent auctions.

During the dinner program, attendees heard from DRI Foundation’s President and CEO Joshua Rednik, who thanked Strock and Fishbein for their commitment to a cure over the last 34 years and all the guests. Longtime tournament attendee Tunde Ogunlana, whose son Jalen was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year, and his wife Zabrina also shared their moving story and his appreciation for the support and dedication to a cure from all present.

The evening closed out with trophy presentations for winning teams, the announcement of money board (which the winner donated back to the DRI) 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.

Other sponsors who made the event possible were Norm Heinrich, Esserman International, Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Joe Slater, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Gordon & Doner, PA., Pollo Tropical, Warren Henry Auto Group, Mutual of America, Boar’s Head, Legaleze and Minuteman Press of Vero Beach.

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 and Foundation