As part of the commitment to the National Football League's (NFL) and American Cancer Society's (ACS) "Crucial Catch" campaign, the Cleveland Browns will host their annual cancer awareness game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday, Oct. 27. The game is presented by University Hospitals (UH) Seidman Cancer Center.
The Browns and University Hospitals (UH) incorporated several elements throughout the month of October leading up to the Crucial Catch game to recognize those who have been impacted by cancer. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Browns hosted their third-annual Browns Halloween Fashion Show for children battling cancer. Hosted in the Kardiac Club of Huntington Bank Field, kids from The Littlest Heroes and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's and players including guard Joel Bitonio, guard Michael Dunn, cornerback Cameron Mitchell, defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, center Ethan Pocic, linebacker Winston Reid, long snapper Rex Sunahara andwide receiver Cedric Tillman walked the runway together to show off their Halloween costumes for families in attendance.
Dunn and Reid are two of several members of the Cleveland Browns organization who have personal ties to individuals who were diagnosed with cancer. Dunn's wife, Marissa, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, later beating it and Reid's mother battled breast cancer. Other players include running back Nick Chubb, whose aunt battled cancer, right tackle Dawand Jones, whose cousin passed way from breast cancer in 2023, cornerback Cameron Mitchell, whose grandfather passed away from prostate cancer and tight end David Njoku, whose grandmother battled pancreatic cancer.
On game day, this Sunday Oct. 27, the Browns will have multiple activations on Dawg Pound Drive to support the "Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer" game theme. Prior to kickoff, ACS and UH Seidman Cancer Center representatives will be on Dawg Pound Drive sharing information about cancer awareness, early screening and detection. Additionally, marking their 22nd year contributing to the Browns' efforts, Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae and collegiate members will distribute pink ribbons on Dawg Pound Drive to help raise awareness and show support.
During pregame, 32 cancer survivors, family members and caregivers selected by ACS and UH Seidman will be on the field to assist with the presentation of the flag. The game's national anthem will be sung by Akron native and Stage Three Brain Cancer survivor Molly Oldham. In addition, 20 participants currently battling cancer alongside their caregivers and other healthcare professionals will welcome the team to the field by forming a gauntlet during player introductions.
Stage Two Colorectal Cancer survivor Dana Saunders Sr. will serve as the game's honorary coin toss captain. Saunders was able to beat colorectal cancer because of early detection and screening. Four-year-old Edison Phelis, a member of the FNA Flag Football team in Toledo, Ohio, will be the honorary Touchdown Kid, scoring the game's 'first touchdown' alongside Cleveland Browns Alum Ben Davis. Edison's mother is currently battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Pediatric cancer survivors Lyla Smythe and Braylon Gallagher will serve as the game's "Kickoff Kids."
During the game, there will be a University Hospitals Survivorship Bell Ringing by a survivor who recently completed cancer treatment. The bell ringing tradition is carried by treatment centers to signify the end of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Doctors from University Hospitals will also be recognized during the game.
The Browns have continued to honor and recognize those impacted by all forms of cancer during the month of October through Crucial Catch and Breast Cancer Awareness month events and programming.
During the Browns Give Back Tuesday event on Oct. 1, running back Nyheim Hines and guard Michael Dunn visited the American Cancer Society's Jospeh S. and Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge and spent time with patients and families and enjoyed food from 'B&M Bar B Que' and desserts from The Sweet Fix Bakery, both of which are members of the Browns' "Cleveland Huddle" program. Opened in 1995, The Silber Hope Lodge facility offers 24/7 staffing service and a home away from home with 43 guest rooms for patients and caregivers located near Cleveland-based cancer treatment facilities.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Browns partnered with the ACS to host the 'Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk' at Huntington Bank Field. With over 5,500 participants, Cleveland Browns staff participated as part of the Browns team alongside ACS and other organizations across Cleveland.
Browns players, including running back Nyheim Hines, kicker Dustin Hopkins, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II and wide receiver Elijah Moore, visited University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center on Oct. 15 to interact with patients, families, members and medical staff, in addition to UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Since 2009, Crucial Catch has used its platform to raise awareness, encourage early detection and address risk reduction efforts across multiple types of cancers.
About American Cancer Society:
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 110 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
About Browns Give Back:
The Cleveland Browns are committed to championing youth football, education and social justice in our community and throughout Ohio. Browns Give Back is the Cleveland Browns initiative dedicated to supporting our fans and neighbors. For more information, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/community.
About the NFL and Crucial Catch:
Crucial Catch is the NFL's cancer awareness and early detection initiative, in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS). Over the years, the NFL has helped ACS fund more than $27 million dollars through sales of Crucial Catch branded merchandise, NFL Auction, and general fundraising.
Funds raised support the American Cancer Society's CHANGE Grants, which increase access to low or no cost cancer screenings in communities that need it most. CHANGE Grants have contributed to more than 650k cancer screenings in under-resourced communities and have impacted more than 1.3 million men & women with education, patient navigation, and screening reminders.
Crucial Catch empowers fans to take their health into their own hands by getting screened for cancer and educates fans about the importance of early detection and risk reduction. The initiative also creates opportunities to showcase the NFL family's year-round commitment to create positive impact in the fight against cancer as it addresses disparities in underserved communities and tells impactful stories that connect fans with Clubs and players in meaningful ways.
About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio:
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system's flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and National Taiwan University College of Medicine. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including "America's Best Hospitals" from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.
