The Seattle Seahawks are taking on a familiar fight for a crucial cause this month by partnering with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for the annual Crucial Catch Campaign for Cancer Awareness this month.

There will be activities throughout the month of cancer awareness events to promote early detection through the NFL's Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer initiative. To kick off the Crucial Catch campaign, representatives of the Seahawks and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health took part in a Crucial Catch flag ceremony at Lumen Field. The Seahawks will host the team's annual Crucial Catch game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 31.

The NFL's Crucial Catch mission is to fight cancer through early detection and risk reduction. By partnering with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, the Seahawks are helping further support their mission: which is to create healthy communities, keeping people safe and healthy by educating and raising awareness about disease prevention and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

"Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is focused on creating healthy communities. In support of this effort, we are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Seahawks to educate and raise awareness about the importance of early cancer detection through annual screenings," said Ketul J. Patel, chief executive officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Did you know:

• Cancer is a disease that affects many individuals and their families.
• Detecting cancers in the preliminary stages increases treatment options for patients and saves lives.
• Talking to your Virginia Mason Franciscan health doctor about recommended cancer screenings is important for your overall health.

To encourage scheduling regular health care screenings, fans will see a variety of colors throughout the campaign that represent multiple cancers that can be detected early through annual screenings, including:

• Navy: Colon Cancer
• Pink: Breast Cancer
• Lavender: All Cancers
• Teal: Cervical Cancer
• Blue: Prostate Cancer
• Gold: Childhood Cancers
• White: Lung Cancer

In support of Crucial Catch, throughout October, the Seahawks will donate 12% of the proceeds from in-store Seahawks Pro Shop purchases of the official Seahawks Crucial Catch gear to Crucial Cash. In partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Crucial Cash funds will help local patients who cannot cover the incidental costs of cancer treatment. Fans will also be able to donate at the Pro Shop at checkout. At the team's Crucial Catch game at Lumen Field on Oct. 31, $0.25 for every bottle of water purchased will be donated to Crucial Cash. Donations can also be made online directly at vmfh.org/crucialcash.

Let's all do our part and speak to our local Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provider for information on how to get a regular health care screening.

To find out more about you can click on this link Seahawks.com/CrucialCatch where Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a list of recommended cancer screenings that can help as a guide in addition to talking with your health care provider.

Remember: It takes all of us.