​The Defender presented by Sleep Number delivers tips and local resources.

Since 2009, the National Football League (NFL) and the American Cancer Society have partnered to fight cancer and save lives through Crucial Catch. Along with educating the public about the importance of prevention and early detection, the initiative raises funds to help community health centers and health systems in under-resourced areas increase access to cancer screening.

This year, to specifically improve breast cancer outcomes, the NFL and American Cancer Society added a new Links to Care Community Grants pilot project in select NFL markets. The pilot project aims to create connections between community health centers and NFL team affiliated hospitals to ensure patients complete recommended screening, follow up care and treatment.

Crucial Catch funding has contributed to over 650,000 screenings and reached more than 1.2 million individuals. Crucial Catch promotes the connection between overall wellness and cancer prevention through providing local cancer screening resources via The Defender presented by Sleep Number. 

This recently updated online resource allows you to assess your cancer risk, get prevention tips, and find local screening resources. Visit NFL.com/CrucialCatch to get started.

Additional Crucial Catch Activations

Super Bowl Sweepstakes 

Beginning Sept. 28, with a $10 or more donation to the American Cancer Society, fans have the chance to enter to win a Super Bowl LVIII VIP experience, a meet & greet with Alyssa Milano and other exclusive perks through the Super Bowl LVIII Sweepstakes. Donations will help provide cancer screening resources in underserved communities through the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative. To enter, visit cancer.org/superbowl.

100 Miles to Intercept Cancer 

This season NFL fans will also have the opportunity to join American Cancer Society ambassador and Detroit Lions rookie Brian Branch in raising funds for ACS. A series of Facebook ads will kick off in October, promoting the “100 Miles to Intercept Cancer with NFL Crucial Catch” challenge, where participants will “Train Like a Pro” through jogging, walking or running a total of 100 miles and share their fundraiser to raise money for ACS and the Crucial Catch initiative. Incentives and rewards are earned based on progress, including a meet and greet with Brian Branch for the challenge winner. The challenge kicks off on Oct. 1.