AutoNation has teamed with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins to tackle a critical issue in breast cancer research.

America’s second-largest auto retailer announced a partnership with Dolphins Challenge Cancer, the team’s cancer-focused fundraising initiative, to address health disparities linked to social, economic and environmental factors with a new $1 million commitment to be distributed over four years to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The donation will fund a project to advance the scientific understanding of the relationship between social determinants of health – specifically, neighborhood disadvantage and breast cancer mortality.

AutoNation CEO Mike Manley said his company has long been committed to fighting breast cancer through its DRV PNK initiative, which has donated more than $37 million to charitable organizations over the past 10 years, as well as to the communities served by its dealerships.

“Our commitment to enhancing the communities we’re a part of is ingrained in our identity,” he said. “Through DRV PNK, alongside the support of our customers, associates and the communities we call home, we stand united in our mission to drive out cancer.

“We’ve joined hands with long-term partners of our organization and together are investing in groundbreaking research.”

The research project will be conducted by BCRF investigator and surgeon-scientist Neha Goel and a team of researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System. Its goal is to enhance the understanding of the links between neighborhood disadvantage and aggressive breast cancer.

Despite significant advances in breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment, data has shown women living in low-income neighborhoods have a higher breast cancer mortality rate than those in affluent neighborhoods.

Initial research has indicated the drivers of that survival gap are multifactorial and intrinsically linked to the racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes.

“We are so grateful for the commitment of our longtime partners at AutoNation and the support of Dolphins Challenge Cancer,” BCRF chief scientific officer Dorraya El-Ashry said. “Dr. Goel’s research will help define how one’s neighborhood right here in South Florida impacts their breast cancer — not just in terms of access to care, but also in terms of its influence over the tumor’s characteristics and behavior, and ultimately, survival outcomes.

“This partnership is providing us with the ability to identify the deeply complex role that social determinants of health such as environmental stress and neighborhood play in breast cancer mortality.”

The million-dollar commitment will be announced in a ceremony featuring representatives from each organization and breast cancer survivors from the South Florida area before the Dolphins’ home opener against the Denver Broncos this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Dolphins’ team store is also selling exclusive “Tackling Cancer” lapel pins, with 100% of the purchase price benefitting the BCRF.

“We’re excited to partner with AutoNation as we further our commitment to support our ‘One Team, One Fight’ efforts to fund lifesaving cancer research,” Dolphins Challenge Cancer executive director Javier Sanchez said. “It’s special when you team up with other industry-leading organizations such as AutoNation, BCRF and Sylvester to work together to tackle critical cancer disparities.”