(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Bears will have a little extra inspiration on their side Thursday night when they take the field against the Washington Commanders.
More than a dozen Advocate Health Care patients, their family members and care teams from across Illinois will be decked out in pink to raise awareness for breast cancer.
“One in eight women during their lifetime is diagnosed with breast cancer. So it's, really, a pretty significant number of women who go through this battle,” said Dr. Heidi Memmel, Breast Surgery Director at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
Several patients will unfurl a pink ribbon on the field before the game and share their survival stories.
The Real Bears Fans Wear Pink campaign aims to not only raise awareness for the disease, but to also encourage early detection and prevention.
“This is a reminder that women should get regular screening mammograms starting typically at age 40 to 50,” said Memmel. “Usually mammograms can detect breast cancer when it's small and very curable.”
She tells WBBM patients should also look at their family history and lifestyle factors to find out if they’re at higher risk, and then get the appropriate screening.
You can learn more about breast cancer screenings by visiting aah.org/breasthealth.
Real Bears Fans Wear Pink T-shirts are available to purchase online.
Proceeds benefit Bears Care, which provides assistance and support services to breast cancer patients and their families.
To date, the campaign has raised more than $1.6 million.
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