NFL and ACS Crucial Catch reached more than one million people during last decade.
For the last 14 years, the National Football League (NFL) and ACS have teamed up to support the fight against cancer through "Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer." The initiative, which kicked off in stadiums on Sunday, Oct. 2, addresses early detection and risk reduction efforts across multiple types of cancers.
Since its inception, Crucial Catch has placed an emphasis on getting screened and detecting cancer early when it may be easier to treat. New this year, through funding provided by the NFL as part of the Crucial Catch initiative, fans will be able to easily find their nearest cancer screening center and additional screening resources at NFL.com/CrucialCatch or by texting “CATCH” to 635635. The site also provides resources for fans to determine the type of cancer screening they need, a cancer hotline and a 24-hour chat for fans to get all of their screening questions answered.
To date, the NFL has helped ACS fund $24 million worth of cancer research, programming, education, and support services through NFL-provided grants, sales of Crucial Catch branded merchandise, NFL Auction, and general fundraising. Since 2009, the NFL has funded the American Cancer Society’s Community Health Advocates Implementation Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) grants, which have contributed to over 600,000 screenings in under-resourced communities and reached more than one million individuals through education, screening reminders and patient navigation. CHANGE grants are currently removing barriers to cancer screening in 32 NFL markets. Some of the services provided this season include providing funding for mobile mammograms, expanding screening services to the uninsured and operations outside of normal business hours, plus rides to those experiencing transportation barriers.
Once again, all 32 NFL teams will have the option of supporting the Crucial Catch initiative in stadiums and in their communities. In addition, players may wear cleats and shoelaces in any color representing the type of cancer awareness they support and/or have been impacted by during their team's Crucial Catch game.
