INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts will add a new color – pink - to their team's palette during the month of October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Their efforts are part of the NFL's league-wide "A Crucial Catch" campaign, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, to raise awareness for this deadly disease and encourage annual screenings for women over forty.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 4,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Indiana each year and nearly 900 lose their life to this disease each year. Across the United States, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes and one woman will die from breast cancer every thirteen minutes.
The Colts will kick off their Breast Cancer Awareness Month efforts with a free "Pink Monday" event on Monday, October 3, 2011. Information on that event, as well as the team's other Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives, is provided below. For more details on all of these programs, visit www.colts.com/pink.
Pink Monday, October 3
On Monday, October 3, the Colts will mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by hosting a "Pink Monday" event on the Ohio Street Basin along the Canal in Downtown Indianapolis. The free event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. will feature a short program and the "Pinking of the Canal" at noon. Special guests will include Indianapolis' First Lady Winnie Ballard as well as Allison Melangton, President and CEO of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. Additional event elements planned:
- Live Music by Dave and Rae
- Free Limited Edition Colts Pink Posters
- Special Edition "Pink" Hats for Sale by the Indianapolis Colts Women's Organization (proceeds benefit the IU Simon Cancer Center)
- $5 Boxed Lunches, provided by O'Charley's
- $1 Bottled Water and Pink Lemonade (proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society)
- Colts Cheerleaders and Blue
- Opportunity to win Colts tickets
- Informational booths
- Pink Ribbon Passout, provided by Zeta Tau Alpha
Special Edition Colts "Pink" Hats
The Indianapolis Colts Women's Organization will be selling special edition Colts "pink" hats during the month of October and will donate all proceeds to the IU Simon Cancer Center. The hats are white and feature a pink "CURE" design that includes the Colts horseshoe. They are $20 each and will be sold at the team's Pink Monday event on October 3, as well as their October 9 game versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Indianapolis Colts Women's Organization is comprised of Colts female staff as well as wives of staff, coaches and players. The Organization plans monthly service projects during the season and supports a variety of charities including School on Wheels and United Way of Central Indiana.
Breast Cancer Awareness Game, October 9
The Indianapolis Colts are dedicating their October 9 game to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will include several gameday activities to recognize survivors and engage their fans in this important cause. Colts players will be outfitted in a variety of pink accessories including cleats, wristbands, gloves and more. Other gameday elements include:
- On-field Recognition of 100 Breast Cancer Survivors
- National Anthem sung by a Breast Cancer Survivor
- Special Edition "Pink" Cover for the Scout Gameday Program
- Colts Cheerleaders and Blue in Pink Attire
- Pink Seat Cards for All Fans in Attendance
- Pink Ribbon Passout, provided by Zeta Tau Alpha
- Special Edition "Pink" Hats for Sale by the Indianapolis Colts Women's Organization (proceeds benefit the IU Simon Cancer Center)
- Large Inflatable Pink Ribbon in the Colts Fan Zone, provided by IU Health
NFL Auctions
By visiting www.nflauction.nfl.com Colts fans will have the opportunity to bid on some of the pink items players will be wearing during the October NFL games. All proceeds from the online auctions will benefit the American Cancer Society's breast cancer research and programs.
