INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts will once again add a splash of color to their traditional blue and white color palette as the team joins the NFL's national *A Crucial Catch *campaign in partnership with the American Cancer Society. The team is expanding their *Crucial Catch *efforts to support the fight against all types of cancers.
The Colts have designated their October 8 game vs. the 49ers as their Crucial Catch game. At the game, cancers survivors will hold a special Crucial Catch flag on the field during the National Anthem, and Colts season ticket members who are cancer survivors will form the runout tunnel for the team. Blue, the mascot, will add additional colors to his suit, and the Colts Cheerleaders will wear all white uniforms while carrying various colored pompoms that represent the multiple types of cancer. A special PSA featuring several Colts players will also air before the game.
Throughout the month, the team is hosting several community events and programs to support individuals battling cancer, including their Pamper Her Pink program; a trip to the IU Simon Cancer Center for players to visit with patients; and a Caregivers Breakfast to provide support and encouragement for caretakers of individuals with cancer. Additional details on these events will be released in the coming weeks.
*About "A Crucial Catch"
This year, the National Football League and the American Cancer Society (ACS) are expanding their efforts to support the fight against cancer through the "Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer" campaign. After nearly a decade of supporting breast cancer, the NFL and ACS have evolved the campaign to address early detection and risk reduction efforts for all cancers to increase their impact.
Since 2009, more than $18 million has been raised for ACS through the partnership. **Money raised through Crucial Catch this season will be directed towards support of three screenable cancers: breast, colorectal and cervical. Funding will continue to support the American Cancer Society's Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program, which provides outreach and cancer screenings to individuals in underserved communities. Since 2012, grant recipients have contributed to more than 152,000 screenings and more than 344,000 education and outreach interventions.
*Fans may donate directly to ACS at cancer.org/donate.
