Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital and
Massachusetts General Hospital to offer Patriots fans information about
screening and prevention
Nearly 70,000 fans pack the stands at Gillette Stadium for every
Patriots home game and, statistically, far too many of them will develop
cancer in their lifetimes.
With support from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General
Hospital — the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare — and
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the New England Patriots Charitable
Foundation has launched Kick Cancer, a season-long initiative to
increase cancer awareness among Patriots fans.
"Knowing risk factors, having good information and requesting
regularly scheduled screenings is imperative," said Patriots Chairman
and CEO Robert Kraft, who is also a Dana-Farber Trustee.
"For many cancers, particularly women's cancers, the symptoms can be
subtle. It's incumbent on individuals to get screened and ask your
doctor for tests. With proper screening and early detection, families
can avoid a lot of heartache."
From left to right: Judy Garber, MD, Myles Brown, MD, President Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, George Demetri, MD, Mr. Robert Kraft, Christopher Lathan, MD, Mrs. Myra Kraft, and Ursula Matalonis, MD Beginning with the Sunday, September 26 game at Gillette Stadium and
at each subsequent home game, the Patriots will raise awareness about
common cancers through messages to fans and the distribution of
educational material.
To help kick off the initiative, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski
and punter Zoltan Mesko have filmed public service announcements
promoting cancer screening.
"We all know someone who has been affected by cancer," said
Gostkowski. "Win or lose, we want Patriots fans to leave games this year
knowing more about risk factors and their options for screening."
"It's a good feeling to know that we can play a part in someone
taking a small step, such as deciding to get screened, that could
ultimately save their life," added Mesko.
New England's best medical institutions have also partnered with The
Foundation to provide fans with valuable information about screening and
prevention both at Gillette Stadium and through the Patriots' web site.
On Sunday, Kraft will be joined for a pregame announcement of the
initiative by Elizabeth G. Nabel, MD, President, Brigham and Women's
Hospital, Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD,
President and CEO, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Peter L. Slavin, MD,
President, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Gary L. Gottlieb, MD,
MBA, President and CEO, Partners HealthCare.
For more information about the Kick Cancer initiative, including
resources and information about cancer prevention and screening, visit www.patriots.com/community.
Media Contact
Bill Schaller
617-632-4090