Community

Browns celebrate Crucial Catch

October featured a month of unique experiences for those impacted by cancer

Oct 28, 2024 at 09:52 AM

As part of the continued commitment to the National Football League's (NFL) and American Cancer Society's (ACS) "Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer" campaign, for the 16^th consecutive year, the Cleveland Browns brought awareness in the fight against all cancers during the month of October.

Through local collaboration and partnerships, the Browns have annually worked alongside partners including the American Cancer Society Ohio, University Hospitals, The Littlest Heroes and more. In this work, the Browns have supported the league's efforts by contributing to the direct impact of more than 1.8 million people nationwide via education, navigation and screening reminders.

"Crucial Catch has raised awareness for so many NFL fans across the country about early detection and screening for cancer," Cleveland Browns Vice President of Community Relations Jenner Tekancic said. "We have seen the direct impact here in Cleveland through our work with American Cancer Society and how we are able to assist and serve those going through their own battles."

Through NFL-provided grants, sales of Crucial Catch branded merchandise, NFL Auction and general fundraising, the NFL has contributed more than $30 million for CHANGE Grants. CHANGE Grants aim to increase access to screenings and preventative treatments at community health centers in NFL team markets and have provided 762,000 cancer screenings in communities with the greatest need. Primary Health Solutions is a 2024 NFL Crucial Catch CHANGE grant recipient and is using the funding to increase access to colorectal cancer screenings in Cleveland.

To help further the local impact of Crucial Catch, the Browns kicked off their October celebrations by visiting the Joseph S. & Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge located in Cleveland, Ohio. Originally opened in 1995, the ACS Hope Lodge provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. The facility offers 24/7 staffing services, and 43 guest rooms located in close proximity to nationally ranked Cleveland-based cancer treatment facilities. In 2023, the Hope Lodge served 416 patients, totaling over 9,100 free nights for patients to stay while receiving their treatments.

Browns players G Michael Dunn and RB Nyheim Hines spent time touring the recently renovated facility while engaging with patients and serving dinner. Provided by the Browns and in alignment with Be the Solution, dinner and desserts were provided by Cleveland Huddle vendors, Sweet Fix Bakery and Beckham's Bar-B-Que.

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center patients on October 15, 2024.

Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns

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As part of Browns Give Back's continued support of the NFL Crucial Catch campaign, the Browns visited University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital patients on October 15, 2024.

Bri Ali/Cleveland Browns

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Continuing their work alongside the American Cancer Society, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Huntington Bank Field was hosted on Oct. 5. Annually, the Browns and ACS collaborate to host this public walk with the goal of uniting communities together in the fight against breast cancer. Making Strides events helps raise money to fund breast cancer research and provide patient services, such as free rides to chemotherapy and a live 24/7 cancer helpline.

This year, over 5,500 volunteers participated in the walk including an internal team of Browns staff members and family.

During the team's annual Browns Give Back Tuesday alongside University Hospitals during the month of October, Browns players visit and share gifts with oncology patients receiving treatment for various types of cancer at UH Seidman Cancer Center, as well as visited pediatric patients' rooms at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. K Dustin Hopkins, WR Elijah Moore, DT Maurice Hurst II and Hines attended the visit, bringing joy to all staff and patients around the facility.

Serving as a culmination of the month's Crucial Catch activations, for the third consecutive year, the Browns once again partnered with the Littlest Heroes and University Hospitals to host patients battling cancer and other childhood illnesses for a night of Halloween festivities.

"This event means so much to me. I truly look forward to this night every single year," Dunn said. "In all the years that I've been here, this is always a special one for us. The kids here are truly the strongest, toughest kids out there and what they go through just really puts everything into perspective and it's really cool for them to have this special night where they feel like the stars."

The Littlest Heroes – a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization – provides emergency financial support for families battling pediatric cancer and other childhood illnesses. For the past 20 years, over 10,000 lives across Northeast Ohio have been impacted by the organization's assistance and efforts.