Hope for the Future Is Why I Participate in Miles for Moffitt
After months of feeling fatigued and having brain fog, physicians told Amanda Dossat that her symptoms were due to her being a new mom and having a busy work schedule. But after noticing a lump on her neck that moved whenever she talked or swallowed, Dossat knew it was time to seek attention.
“For a few months, I dismissed it, but I caught a glimpse of my neck on a FaceTime call and it was undeniable. There was a large tumor on the right side of my neck. I did a bit of research and determined that it was likely either lymphoma or thyroid cancer,” she said.
As a neuroscientist for a biotech company, Amanda Dossat knows firsthand the importance of funding cancer research and the impact it has on patients.
In 2020, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Her immediate reaction was fear. She was 34 and the mother of a 1-year-old and had no clue what it meant to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Taking time to process her emotions, she used her science background and turned to knowledge-seeking. She learned everything she could about her cancer type, treatment options and the best places to receive care, which is how she arrived at Moffitt Cancer Center.
While receiving treatment, Dossat learned about the cancer center’s premier fundraising event Miles for Moffitt, presented by AutoNation. As a neuroscientist for a biotech company that supports the development of viral vector therapies, she knew firsthand the importance of funding cancer research and the impact it has on patients.
“Miles for Moffitt raising funds for cancer research gave me hope for the future,” she said. “The financial support aids researchers in developing a deeper understanding of the molecules that drive cancer expression. This knowledge will allow the identification of valuable targeted and effective treatment options.”
Dossat joined one of the biggest Miles for Moffitt teams, the Cancer Crushers, and was able to experience her first Miles for Moffitt in 2021, which she described as uplifting.
“I was diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic, and I felt very isolated. Miles for Moffitt was the first time I experienced an in-person cancer community,” said Dossat. “My favorite part of the event was seeing caregivers, patients, survivors and the community come together.”
Being at the event not only made her hopeful for her cancer journey, but for the future of all cancer survivors.
For the past 17 years, Miles for Moffitt has raised more than $10 million supporting lifesaving cancer research at Moffitt. The funding also aids the cancer center in gaining millions more in additional federal support, helping patients like Dossat.
Be a part of the Moffitt mission and join Dossat and the community in downtown Tampa on Saturday, Nov. 19, for the 2022 Miles for Moffitt. For more information or to register, visit MilesforMoffitt.com.
