Castaways Against Cancer:
Honor. Fight. Celebrate.
The Castaways Against Cancer is focused on funding cancer research and honoring those who have fought the fight.
The Castaways Against Cancer is a 100% volunteer non-profit comprised of fun-loving, mission-driven individuals focused on fighting cancer. What makes this team unique is the series of arduous journeys it endures every summer from Miami to Key West. Kayakers paddle 160 miles over seven days, runners relay 170 miles over two days, and cyclists pedal the same 170 miles in one grueling day, all to raise money, awareness, and honor those who have battled cancer.
What began with a group of four sea-hippies on the water in 2000 has grown into a powerful movement with dozens of volunteers that has raised more than $2.7 million in the fight against cancer. The Castaways Against Cancer continues to be fueled by the original mission of its founder, Steve O'Brien, who more than two decades ago, got in his kayak after losing his mother to cancer. O'Brien was inspired to "light a candle rather than cursing the darkness," which is what the Castaways and its community of supporters continue to do.
In the end, it's quite simple. The Castaways kayak, cycle, and run, donations help the world fight cancer, and we all pray for a cure.
2024 - Here Comes the Sun Tour
“A Silver Lining of Hope”
We all go through hard times, and difficult moments in our lives, and some of these moments can feel like they last a long time, like a long, cold, lonely winter, but eventually, it does change. The ice melts, the clouds part, and “Here Comes the Sun.”
In 2024, the Castaways invite you to support the “Here Comes the Sun Tour,” and help us provide a “Silver Lining of Hope.”
Silver is associated with a 25th -anniversary because it’s a metal that represents durability, strength, and beauty.
When one battles cancer, the road is challenging and treacherous. But we believe, in every battle, there are moments of durability, strength, and beauty, like in every Miami to Key West journey via kayak, bicycle, and running shoe.
If a silver lining is something good that can be found in bad, then the Castaways Against Cancer, on its Silver Anniversary, offer that silver lining.
We are here, and we will continue to honor, fight, and celebrate.
The Paddle: Check out the interactive map below to get an idea of our notable/historical stops along the way. Our specific stops have changed over the years but the general route has stayed consistent. Click around and see pictures and some funny/informative stories.
The Cycle: This is the route Javi Hermida and his 3 teammates took on their inaugural ride in 2020. Click on the map to navigate to their Strava log for the ride.
The Run: This is the route Vince & Paige took on their inaugural ride in 2023. 75 miles each.
