A Change for Cancer
As I happily watched my Oakland Raiders beat the San Diego Chargers Sunday night, I also enjoyed the fun banter and many emails or Facebook posts I got throughout the game. Here is one of the pics my mom sent me from their suite…loved all the pink and the survivors on the field!
One of the many sidebars, “Why so much pink on the field, can’t they just make a donation and save time and money?” So, I thought this would be a good time to provide a lil overview of the many benefits on how the NFL, its clubs, players and the NFL Players Association are proud to support the fight against breast cancer.
Throughout October, NFL games will feature players, coaches and referees wearing pink game apparel, on-field pink ribbon stencils, special game balls and pink coins – all to help raise awareness for this important campaign. What many do not know, is that all the apparel worn at games by players and coaches, along with special game balls and pink coins will be auctioned off at NFL Auction, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society’s Community Health Advocates National Grants for Empowerment (CHANGE) program. For example, this game used flag at a New York Jets game currently has 23 bids and is at $260.00 with 11 hours to go…
We call this campaign “A Crucial Catch”. The partnership with the American Cancer Society, is focused on the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are 40 and older. So in addition to raising awareness, this program is raising crucial funds brought in from bids wanting Raiderette cheerleader pink pom poms to signed game day worn cleats.
The NFL markets being supported in the first year of the program are Atlanta, Baltimore, New England, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Washington, DC. In addition, this year will mark the 15th anniversary of Zeta Tau Alpha’s ThinkPink Ribbon Distribution Fan Outreach Program, which has donated over 5 million pink ribbons to NFL fans at games around the nation. Click here to learn more. And for all the lil ones playing on our local Oakland Raider flag football team…guess what you are getting this weekend?
