Each year in October as the world goes pink in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, people are silently wondering whether or not the pink movement really does cancer advocacy any good. In particular, has the NFL's annual pink-wearing campaign really paid off? Has it made some difference in the lives of cancer patients, survivors and potential victims?
This year, football teams have shown support for breast cancer awareness in different ways. Here are some stories:
The Arizona Cardinals hosted a Breast Cancer Survivors' Dinner on September 30. Amber Carrington from Season 4 of The Voice sang the National Anthem at the dinner. Carrington's mother passed away due to breast malignancy.
The Atlanta Falcons treated five survivors to a night of fine dining in a dinner they dubbed as the 5th Annual Dazzle and Dine event. During the singing of the national anthem, the cancer survivors held a large pink ribbon. The Falcons flag was also unfurled by the survivors and their families.
The Baltimore Ravens hosted a tribute on the football field for breast cancer survivors and patients in the community. Pink shirts were given to all the survivors. The wives, staff members and fans of the Ravens also staged the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
The Buffalo Bills made a ceremonial pink illumination of the Niagara Falls and also staged a pink fireworks show.
The Carolina Panthers gave away game tickets to who submitted their stories to the team's website, magazine and program. Panthers player Greg Olsen, whose mother is herself a survivor, served as honorary drummer prior to the kick-off.
The Chicago Bears printed pink shirts with the slogan "Real Bears Fans Wear Pink" and sold them for the benefit of cancer patients. Proceeds of the sale were used to deliver critical breast care services to women from low-income families.
To date, the NFL has been able to raise a total of $4.5 million for the American Cancer Society out of the proceeds from the sale of pink merchandise. Players, coaches and referees are required to wear pink uniform such as pink uniforms, pink cleats and pink football socks during the games in the month of October. All the pink merchandise are then autographed by the owners, auctioned off and the proceeds donated to breast cancer and other cancer advocacy groups.
Football fans can also take part in the pink advocacy as some NFL partners are selling pink merchandise in stadium retail stores as well as online. Again, a percentage of the profits from the sale of pink merchandise benefits breast cancer charities.
After years of coaching and cheering for his children's teams, Tim Barth founded Team Warehouse in 2004 to help bring fun stuff to sports. Specializing in funky socks and uniforms for soccer, volleyball, softball and more, TeamWarehouse.net has served over 68,000 happy customers.
This year, football teams have shown support for breast cancer awareness in different ways. Here are some stories:
The Arizona Cardinals hosted a Breast Cancer Survivors' Dinner on September 30. Amber Carrington from Season 4 of The Voice sang the National Anthem at the dinner. Carrington's mother passed away due to breast malignancy.
The Atlanta Falcons treated five survivors to a night of fine dining in a dinner they dubbed as the 5th Annual Dazzle and Dine event. During the singing of the national anthem, the cancer survivors held a large pink ribbon. The Falcons flag was also unfurled by the survivors and their families.
The Baltimore Ravens hosted a tribute on the football field for breast cancer survivors and patients in the community. Pink shirts were given to all the survivors. The wives, staff members and fans of the Ravens also staged the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
The Buffalo Bills made a ceremonial pink illumination of the Niagara Falls and also staged a pink fireworks show.
The Carolina Panthers gave away game tickets to who submitted their stories to the team's website, magazine and program. Panthers player Greg Olsen, whose mother is herself a survivor, served as honorary drummer prior to the kick-off.
The Chicago Bears printed pink shirts with the slogan "Real Bears Fans Wear Pink" and sold them for the benefit of cancer patients. Proceeds of the sale were used to deliver critical breast care services to women from low-income families.
To date, the NFL has been able to raise a total of $4.5 million for the American Cancer Society out of the proceeds from the sale of pink merchandise. Players, coaches and referees are required to wear pink uniform such as pink uniforms, pink cleats and pink football socks during the games in the month of October. All the pink merchandise are then autographed by the owners, auctioned off and the proceeds donated to breast cancer and other cancer advocacy groups.
Football fans can also take part in the pink advocacy as some NFL partners are selling pink merchandise in stadium retail stores as well as online. Again, a percentage of the profits from the sale of pink merchandise benefits breast cancer charities.
After years of coaching and cheering for his children's teams, Tim Barth founded Team Warehouse in 2004 to help bring fun stuff to sports. Specializing in funky socks and uniforms for soccer, volleyball, softball and more, TeamWarehouse.net has served over 68,000 happy customers.