Former NFL stars have joined forces with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand the “Gear Up Against Cancer” campaign, shifting focus to lung cancer awareness and screenings in four major regions. Namely, Dallas, Kansas City, New York/Northern New Jersey and Pittsburgh.
This expanded initiative, announced on Jan. 8, leverages the influence of retired players to promote early detection and survivor support. It aims to boost low-dose CT screening rates from the current average of 5.8 per cent to over 20 per cent in these areas.
Campaign ambassadors, including Hall of Famers like Charles Haley, Jerome Bettis and Rod Woodson, will lead community outreach to engage high-risk adults. Those aged 50 to 80 with a history of heavy smoking meet this criterion. Several of these events in 2026 will reach thousands of individuals.
The expansion builds on the campaign’s initial establishment last year, which targeted colorectal cancer screenings in Nashville and Atlanta.
Led by national ambassador Al Smith and involving former Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons players, that phase successfully increased colonoscopy referrals by 15 per cent in pilot markets through targeted events.
Now, adapting the model to lung cancer, the program incorporates survivor insights to refine messaging and address barriers like stigma and access, drawing on the NFL Alumni’s network of over 360 retired players across 70 chapters.
People think football is cool, perhaps they can view lung screening that way
This evolution reflects a strategic pivot to tackle another preventable cancer, using football’s cultural resonance in these cities to close screening gaps. Key elements from the announcement include partnerships between the NFL Alumni Association and the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
Ambassadors have been assigned by market: Charles Haley, Darren Woodson, and Byron Williams in Dallas; Jamaal Charles, Deron Cherry, Dante Hall and Jayice Pearson in Kansas City; Antonio Cromartie, Roman Oben and Shaun O’Hara in New York/Northern New Jersey; and Charlie Batch, Jerome Bettis and Rod Woodson in Pittsburgh.
Activities encompass media interviews, public service announcements during NFL broadcasts and social media campaigns under #GearUpAgainstCancer. Additionally, there will be “listening sessions” comprised of up to 50 forums to gather survivor experiences on challenges like fear and follow-up care.
Other details highlight the use of community venues such as tailgates, block parties, barbershops and churches. Also, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) halls to help foster discussions in a masculine space where trust in NFL legends can dismantle reluctance toward health checks.
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‘Don’t smoke!’ Haley and Batch preach
Haley’s involvement adds a layer of Cowboys legacy, stemming from his time during the Jimmy Johnson era (1989 to 1993), when he contributed to back-to-back Super Bowl victories. It symbolizes resilience that aligns with the campaign’s defensive mindset against cancer. He posted a video on social media last weekend warning about the dangers of smoking and advocating for the campaign.
“If you haven’t started smoking, don’t start,” he said. “If you do smoke, or have ever smoked, talk to your doctor about getting screened.
“It takes a strong defence to win games,” Haley added. “Taking these steps is the best defence against cancer and can save your life. Join us and gear up against cancer.”
Haley’s statements were also shared by Batch in a similar posting.
Additional unique aspects include free or low-cost navigation services to imaging centres and amplification through platforms like Instagram reels, Fox Sports pregame shows, local newspapers, Facebook groups and Nextdoor.
By incorporating real survivors as spokespeople, the effort predicts significant screening increases by 2027 if scaled effectively.
As detection technologies advance, initiatives like this could help inspire the integration of innovative tools for even earlier intervention. For instance, companies such as Breath Diagnostics are pioneering non-invasive breath analysis methods to identify lung cancer biomarkers, offering a complementary approach that could one day enhance community-driven campaigns by making screenings more accessible and less intimidating.
This blend of star power and cutting-edge science holds promise for transforming public health outcomes in the fight against cancer.
Read more: Breath Diagnostics completes install of advanced mass spectrometry system
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