Florida attorney Dan Newlin has placed an unprecedented $1 million sports bet on the upcoming championship game, with all winnings pledged to pediatric‑cancer research at Nemours Children’s Hospital. The Florida‑based lawyer is making the high‑stakes wager through Hard Rock Bet, turning a single game into a potential windfall for children fighting cancer and their families.
Newlin’s wager is not a guaranteed $1 million donation but a conditional pledge: the full amount of his winnings, determined by the odds and outcome of the championship matchup, will go to pediatric‑cancer research at Nemours. The bet centers on the New England Patriots–Seattle Seahawks game and is being placed through Hard Rock Bet, underscoring how a single high‑stakes sports wager can be leveraged into significant philanthropic impact if it pays off.
Why Pediatric Cancer and Nemours Matter
Pediatric cancer and Nemours Children’s Hospital are central to Newlin’s decision because Nemours operates a large pediatric care network with multiple research centers dedicated to childhood diseases, including cancer. The institution runs hospitals, specialty clinics, and laboratories that focus on both treating children with cancer and advancing the science behind new therapies and supportive care.
Newlin has been a long‑time supporter of Nemours, having contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in prior donations to its programs. He has publicly vowed to keep funding pediatric‑cancer research at Nemours “until a cure is found,” framing his $1 million bet as one more step in an ongoing commitment to families affected by childhood cancer.
Dan Newlin’s Personal Motivation Behind the Bet
The driving force behind Newlin’s bet is deeply personal: his daughter’s childhood best friend, Haley, has been fighting cancer, an experience that has shaped his long‑standing support for families affected by pediatric illness. That connection has turned his interest in sports betting into a mission to help children facing similar battles, channeling the thrill of a high‑stakes wager into something meaningful for pediatric‑cancer families.
Newlin has said he wants to “win for the kids,” framing the bet not just as a gamble on a game but as a chance to generate real resources for research and care. By tying his potential winnings to Nemours’ pediatric‑cancer programs, he hopes to turn a single night of sports into lasting support for children and families walking through the same door that Haley and her family once did.
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Turning Sports Betting Into Philanthropy
Newlin’s $1 million bet also serves as an example of how sports betting can be leveraged for philanthropy, with the attorney encouraging others to place their own wagers in support of Nemours or other charitable causes. By aligning personal risk with a public good, he highlights a growing trend of turning entertainment‑driven spending into targeted support for health and research initiatives.
Regardless of whether his wager pays off, the spotlight on pediatric cancer underscores the ongoing need for sustained research funding—because for children fighting the disease, every dollar and every breakthrough counts, no matter where it comes from.
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Written by Aharon Tsaturyan, MD, Editor at OncoDaily Intelligence Unit
FAQ
Who is Dan Newlin and why is he betting $1 million on a football game?
Dan Newlin is a Florida attorney who placed a $1 million sports bet on the upcoming championship game, pledging all winnings to pediatric‑cancer research at Nemours Children’s Hospital. His motivation stems from a personal connection to a child battling cancer and a long‑standing commitment to supporting pediatric‑oncology families.
Is Dan Newlin donating $1 million to pediatric cancer right now?
No, the $1 million is not an upfront donation. It is a conditional pledge: if his sports bet wins, the full amount of his winnings will go to pediatric‑cancer research at Nemours Children’s Hospital. The actual donation size depends on the odds and the outcome of the game.
Which team is Dan Newlin betting on for the $1 million pediatric cancer bet?
Newlin’s $1 million wager is on the New England Patriots–Seattle Seahawks championship matchup. The bet is placed through Hard Rock Bet, and any payout will be directed entirely toward pediatric‑cancer research at Nemours.
What is Nemours Children’s Hospital’s role in pediatric cancer research?
Nemours Children’s Hospital operates a network of pediatric hospitals and research centers focused on childhood diseases, including cancer. Its programs combine clinical care with translational research to improve survival rates, reduce treatment side effects, and develop new therapies for children with cancer.
How can people support pediatric cancer research like Dan Newlin’s bet?
Newlin encourages others to turn their own sports bets or entertainment spending into philanthropy by supporting Nemours or other pediatric‑cancer charities. Even small, consistent donations can help fund research, clinical trials, and supportive‑care programs for children fighting cancer.