{"id":24037,"date":"2026-01-02T17:29:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T22:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2026\/01\/02\/panthers-host-unique-cancer-fundraiser\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T17:29:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T22:29:21","slug":"panthers-host-unique-cancer-fundraiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2026\/01\/02\/panthers-host-unique-cancer-fundraiser\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers Host Unique Cancer Fundraiser"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Unique Fundraiser<\/h2>\n

The Florida Panthers have embarked on a unique project, enlisting the help of stars such as Wayne Gretzky, Martina Navratilova, Michael Bubl\u00e9, Dustin Johnson, and the Miami Heat. Instead of using hockey sticks, these celebrities were armed with paintbrushes to create a series of panther sculptures. The sculptures are now being auctioned off to raise $1 million for cancer research.<\/p>\n

The Creation of the Sculptures<\/h2>\n

The Panthers unveiled a couple dozen panther sculptures, each painted in a unique way, a few hours before their Winter Classic outdoor game against the New York Rangers. Gretzky’s sculpture displays some of his stats, while Johnson’s depicts a scene from Augusta National. Bubl\u00e9’s sculpture is adorned in rhinestone braille, and the Miami Heat commissioned a pair of sculptures with some of the team’s themes. Artist Romero Britto also painted one of the sculptures, and Navratilova created a polka-dotted splash of various colors by dipping tennis balls into paint and serving them into the panther.<\/p>\n

The Inspiration Behind the Fundraiser<\/h2>\n

The idea for the fundraiser, "Panthers on the Prowl," is loosely built around Chicago’s "Cows on Parade" art project. Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito and his wife Julie co-chair the project; she is a breast cancer survivor, and Zito has lost several relatives to the disease. According to Zito, about $700,000 has already been raised, and the goal is to reach $1 million.<\/p>\n

The Display and Auction of the Sculptures<\/h2>\n

Many of the panthers were on display at LoanDepot Park on Friday, where about 35,000 fans attending the Winter Classic would see them. The sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for cancer research. Zito expressed his gratitude to the celebrities who participated in the project, saying, "To be able to have the privilege to reach out and make those contacts and have those folks say, ‘Of course,’ what a gift that was."<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The Florida Panthers’ unique fundraiser has brought together a group of celebrities to create a series of panther sculptures to raise money for cancer research. With a goal of raising $1 million, the project has already raised $700,000. The sculptures will be auctioned off, and the money raised will go towards cancer research. The project is a testament to the power of creativity and community in making a difference in the fight against cancer.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n