Shoes for a Cure is back in a big way.
The footwear industry’s fundraiser for breast cancer research returned to Miami on Thursday night for its third annual Miami Design District initiative — with an opening-night dinner at Mother Wolf.
Miami has become an important market for Shoes for a Cure, which will also hold its annual charity shoe sale and more events in New York next week.
The Miami event brought together forces from fashion, philanthropy and the local community in support of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The evening featured cocktails, dinner and live and silent auctions.
The live auction — hosted by Kristin Sanchez, host of NBC South Florida Live — featured curated experiences, including tickets to a Harry Styles concert, a stay at The St. Regis New York, a luxury escape at The Boca Raton, courtside seats to a Miami Heat game, an elevated at-home omakase dining experience and more.
The evening kicked off with in-store shopping events at Balmain, Carolina Herrera, Ferragamo, Manolo Blahnik, and Sevan Bıçakçı. Through the weekend, an expanded lineup of boutiques will unite for the cause.
The 2026 Miami initiative is chaired by Nabil Aliffi, Maria Buccellati, Marile Lopez, Jayne Sylvester Malfitano, Eva Nakvosas, Dr. Stephen Nimer, Craig Robins, Carrie Rubin and Kristin Sanchez. This year’s expanded host committee reflects the growing momentum behind Shoes for a Cure and the deepening commitment in the Miami community.
“Shoes for a Cure is an extraordinary organization that brings people together through creativity and purpose,” said Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra and chair of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Through my work with Sylvester, I see support from organizations like Shoes for a Cure translate into research and day-to-day care for patients and families.”
Next week, the fundraiser returns to New York for its expanded five-day charity shoe sale, set for Oct. 21-25 at Chelsea Market. More than 10,000 pairs of shoes from top brands will be on offer.
The sale, coupled with shopping events at Saks, Manolo Blahnik and Birkenstock, will raise money for Weill Cornell Medicine.
“Shoes for a Cure has a unique ability to harness the reach, creativity, and generosity of the fashion and footwear industry and turn that energy into meaningful philanthropic impact,” said Sandi Mines, president of the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation. “For more than three decades, we’ve seen what is possible when we come together around a shared purpose, and Shoes for a Cure continues to evolve while staying true to that mission.”
All told, the industry has raised over $65 million for breast cancer research since its inception in 1994.
“What makes Shoes for a Cure so special is the way we bring curated experiences to brands and consumers throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month — from intimate activations in Miami to our iconic New York shoe sale,” said Burberry executive Sarah Lubas, co-chair of the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation. “This year’s expanded programming creates even more ways to participate, connect, and make a difference, while building on a legacy that has already touched so many lives.”