Thanks to a Surgeon’s Suggestion, This Cancer Survivor Will Run His 16th Miles for Moffitt
After successful prostate surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center, Joseph Schimmel wanted to get back to running 10K races around the Tampa Bay area. His surgeon, Philippe Spiess, MD, a genitourinary oncologist and the assistant chief of surgical services at Moffitt, suggested a run that Schimmel had never heard of: Miles for Moffitt.
That conversation was in 2009. Now, Miles for Moffitt presented by AutoNation is in its 20th year and Schimmel has run it 15 times.
He’s training to run it for the 16th time on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, and says it has become one of his favorite events of the year.
“It means more to me than just running a race, I sort of feel like it’s a family event,” he said.
Miles for Moffitt is not only a run and walk, but also a huge community gathering at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa that offers inspiration, encouragement and hope against cancer.
He Just Wanted To Run
Schimmel is a no-nonsense sort of person and figured he didn’t need all that “rah-rah stuff” from the cheering crowds and annual tribute ceremony. He just wanted to run.
But as he participated year after year, Schimmel couldn’t help but notice how many people shouted encouragement to him as he ran past lines of spectators, including strangers. Many called to him because he always wears a Miles for Moffitt T-shirt for cancer survivors.
“People run beside me and say, ‘Way to go, survivor!’”
After hearing others root for him for so many years at Miles for Moffitt, he changed his mind: All that rah-rah stuff is wonderful.
Schimmel said it’s inspiring to see all the people in “survivor” and “thriver” T-shirts who are rooting for others as well as themselves. It’s meaningful to contribute to cancer research and save lives.
Schimmel, a retired university professor, typically does not know many others in the crowd. But he nonetheless feels strong camaraderie among the thousands who gather in downtown Tampa to support cancer research at Moffitt.
It’s also a thrill to meet Moffitt’s founder, H. Lee Moffitt, which he has been able to do several times.
“When I get to shake his hand, that is a big deal,” Schimmel said. “He is fantastic because he had a vision. He used his power to help others, which is a neat thing.”
Honoring His Surgeon
Many participate in Miles for Moffitt to honor loved ones who have died from cancer. One year, Schimmel took a different approach. He pinned a card to his T-shirt saying he was running for his surgeon, Spiess.
This year, Spiess received Moffitt’s Charles C. Williams Jr. Physician of the Year award, given to a member of the medical staff who embodies the finest qualities of a physician. He’s impressed by his former patient.
“Mr. Schimmel is a true source of inspiration not only in his incredible fight and success in beating cancer but also in serving as a driving force for inspiring other patients, families and team members through believing and promoting our mission in the prevention and cure of cancer,” Spiess said. “Miles for Moffitt is an incredible success through the inspiring stories of patients and heroes like Mr. Schimmel who I was honored to care for.”
As for Schimmel, he plans to run the 10K this year, but participants also can choose the 5K run, 5K walk, 1K Fun Run, Kids Dash with Captain Fear, 10K wheelchair race or the new Anniversary 15K challenge. It’s also possible to participate virtually and donate to cancer research.
Written by Curtis Krueger, the Moffitt Foundation’s development communications officer
