This past weekend, Inter Miami CF and AutoNation teamed up to honor cancer survivors and caregivers during the third annual Drive Out Cancer Night presented by AutoNation at DRV PNK Stadium. As one of the initiatives to support the theme for this year, 'Nobody Fights Alone', Inter Miami players wore the names of those impacted by cancer on the back of their warm up tops during warm-ups and wore special numbers and a DRV Out Cancer patch on their jerseys during the match.
Below, we present the testimonials as players and staff members shared stories of loved ones who have been affected by cancer.
Jennifer Asuaje - Honoring her father, Wilson Tabares
"My father had a urine infection and some stomach pain. He went to his primary doctor and they told him it could be more than an infection. He received a scan of his abdominal area and they noticed his prostate was enlarged. He went through more tests that confirmed he had prostate cancer. The only and best option was a complete removal. He has been cancer free since 2022."
Sarah Graham - Honoring her father, Brad Graham
"My honoree is my father, Brad Graham. He supported and cared for my stepmom Jessie Graham through her battle with breast cancer in the midst of being diagnosed with lung cancer himself. We sadly lost Jessie last July, but my father won his battle and is cancer free after a successful surgery to remove the tumor in his lung. He’s our hero!"
Bryan Medina - Honoring his Abuela In-Law, Sonia "Aba" Funcasta
"Sonia Perez Fucasta -daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandMother. She loved everyone as if they were her own. She will be missed forever."
Nick Muoio - Honoring his grandmother, Louise McCorkle
"The person I have decided to honor is my 81-year-old grandmother, Louise McCorkle. I chose to honor her because in 2016, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. After having a lumpectomy and going through radiation treatment, she beat cancer in 2017. She continues to be an inspiration to me every day."
Andrew Duke - Honoring his mother, Amarilis Bermeo-Duke
"My mother is battling breast cancer and is our family’s rock, always putting her kids and husband first before her wants and needs."
Ricardo Blanco - Honoring his aunt, Maria Victoria Gonzalez Rodriguez
"Life is 10% what happens to you & 90% how you react to it! See all things through a positive lens!"
Bianca Rodriguez - Honoring one of her childhood best friends, Coco Roper
"My honoree is one of my childhood best friends, Coco. Coco is now a spiritual and motivational speaker, who has built a community around her to educate, inspire, and normalize the disabilities she is facing due to cancer. I look up to her daily for her amazing strength, positivity and for her inspirational take on life. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to call her a friend. #CocoStrong Forever."
Harvey Neville - Honoring Great Grandfather, William Harper
"My great grandfather William Harper died of lung cancer in 2008 - he was a real gentlemen and a great example of someone who worked his hardest everyday and loved his family more than anything else in the world."
Leonardo Campana - Honoring his brother, Pablo Campana
"In 1999 when he was only two-years-old, he was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor. He is someone who I admire a lot because it wasn't easy to overcome this obstacle that God put in his path at such a young age. Today, he is full of health and out of danger."
Jose Rubio - Honoring Victor Mondragon
"Victor Mondragon was a son, brother, cousin, friend and a huge soccer fan that was ecstatic when South Florida had their own MLS soccer team. Victor quickly bought tickets to see Inter Miami play at home, but unfortunately, Victor lost his battle to cancer and was never able to attend a game. Victor was an EMT and lived to help others. His positive energy, willingness and love will forever live among us."
Additional members of the Inter Miami CF extended family were also honored, including: Enrique Jocelyn-Holt, father of Cami Jocelyn-Holt; Maria Paulina Lozano, grandmother of Maria Duplat; Cristina Machado, being honored by Paola Carballo; Debbie Diamond, aunt of Kaitlyn Stolzenberg; Penny Allan, stepmother of Chris Allan; Jim Kirk, being honored by Jason Giglio; Marta Hinestroza, grandmother of Carolina Blanco; Josefina Bermeo, grandmother of Andrew Duke; Ilsend Ciafre, mother in law of Jennifer Asuaje; Leah Blanton, wife of Mike Blanton; Deanna Waterbury, mother of Brittany Waterbury; Nicola Barrass, being honored by Robert Taylor; Ira Yedlin, being honored by DeAndre Yedlin.
