NFL's "Crucial Catch" Breast Cancer Awareness Catches The Rose CEO's Attention

Reflections from Dorothy Gibbons after watching Houston Texans Breast Cancer Awareness game...

Watching the NFL players Thursday night decked out in their splashes of pink color made me pause. On the screen were big brawly men, running up and down the field, smacking into each other, sweat and testosterone dripping, yet there was no missing the hot pink shoes, gloves and helmet linings. 

The pink of course is to generate awareness about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a major miracle that the NFL adopted this cause and color but the even greater miracle is that all the advertising last night supported the single action women can take in this battle against breast cancer – have an annual mammogram. 

People often ask me what has changed in the breast cancer arena over these 28 years that I’ve been running The Rose. My first answer is “people talk about breast cancer now.”  They didn’t 28 years ago.  Women didn’t want to admit to having it, many folks didn’t realize it ran in the family because Grandmother or Aunt Jane never talked about it, some folks thought it was contagious. The list goes on and on. 

Today, people are more open, more willing to share their journey.  Pink Ribbons are displayed on windows, hang from buildings and bracelets. NFL players wear pink.

The other thing that hasn’t changed is mammography is still the gold standard and early detection equates to longer survival.  Yes, treatment is better, much better.  Yes, we have more advanced imaging procedures, different diagnostic tools. 

But having that annual mammogram can make all the difference in the world in living a long and active life.  It is a decision every woman needs to make; it is truly something she can do for herself. 

Thousands of women understand the importance of annual mammograms but don’t have the insurance or resources to have one.  That is when The Rose levels the playing field.  Our programs make it possible for an uninsured woman to have her screening; she has the same advantages of the insured women. She has the same chance at survival and at winning in this game of life.

One other thing that is different today as opposed to 28 years ago:  The Rose exists and is serving more women in more counties than ever before.