Continuing a remarkable relationship more than seven decades in the making, in 2024, The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research presented a ceremonial check for $3.9 million to Dr. Nimer, director of Sylvester, during its annual president's meeting May 22 in Boca Raton, Fla.
Thanks to the tireless work of its volunteers, The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research's annual donation to Sylvester continues the pursuit of life-changing treatments and improved quality of life for cancer patients worldwide.
South Florida's Largest Volunteer Fundraising Organization
Named after George Papanicolaou, M.D., Ph.D., who introduced the Pap smear in 1928, The Pap Corps was started in 1952 by five visionary women driven by the lack of early detection and treatment of cancer.
Today, it is South Florida's largest volunteer fundraising organization, with more than 22,000 members and 52 chapters, and has raised more than $110 million for cancer research at Sylvester.
"Cancer is a disease that affects everyone, young and old alike," said Sally Berenzweig, CEO of The Pap Corps. "Our goal is to help create a world without cancer. Thanks to the efforts of over 20,000 members who are Champions for Cancer Research, we have raised crucial funds to support groundbreaking research and life-saving treatments at Sylvester. Together, we will find a cure."
Sylvester is South Florida's only NCI-designated cancer center. Dr. Nimer, who is also the executive dean for research and professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular biology and the Oscar de La Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, thanked the volunteers for standing behind Sylvester in this groundbreaking effort.
"We look forward to accomplishing many more important things together with The Pap Corps with our joint focus on cancer research and the well-being of our patients," said Dr. Nimer.
A Historic $50 Million Pledge
The donation is part of The Pap Corps' landmark 2016 pledge of $50 million to Sylvester, which named Sylvester at Deerfield Beach as The Pap Corps campus. A portion of this year's gift will be used for research into pediatric and adult blood and brain cancer, sarcoma and melanoma.
"Our members are the reason we are successful, because of their dedication and determination to eradicate this terrible disease," said Susan Dinter, chair of The Pap Corps. "We are proud to partner with Sylvester and will continue to support its research efforts as we have for 72 years."
