​League has raised $23M+, impacting 1M+ people in communities that need it most.

ACS recently awarded the National Football League (NFL) the 2021 Patient Support Corporate Partner of the Year Award. This award recognizes an organization that has partnered with the American Cancer Society to enhance and promote programs and services that improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.

Since 2009, the NFL has partnered with ACS through Crucial Catch, raising more than $23 million and impacting over one million people in communities that need it most. Money raised through Crucial Catch supports the American Cancer Society’s Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program. This program helps people catch cancer early, addresses the unequal burden of cancer in underserved communities, promotes prevention and early detection and increases access to lifesaving cancer screenings.

“The NFL created Crucial Catch to help more people catch cancer early and address the unequal burden of cancer in underserved communities,” said Sheri Barros, vice president, Sports Alliances for ACS.  They reach millions of people each year with lifesaving prevention information in addition to the direct support provided to patients. For this and their ongoing commitment to the American Cancer Society, we are extremely grateful.”

Since 2012, NFL CHANGE projects have supported 276 health systems across 27 states. Expanding the focus of the program beyond breast cancer has led to nearly 685,000 completed breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer screenings across the United States.

“Through our partnership with the American Cancer Society, we have provided over a million patients with prevention resources and expanded access to cancer screenings in communities that need it most,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility. “We look forward to continuing our partnership and helping people make a crucial catch.”