RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks announced today activities in support of the league-wide campaign, A Crucial Catch, to expand education and raise awareness for breast cancer screenings. According to the American Cancer Society, 250,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Starting October 5, the CenturyLink Field arch lights will be pink every Wednesday and Thursday night throughout the month of October.

The team's four retail locations will offer a variety of pink merchandise throughout the month with 10 percent of sales donated to support the American Cancer Society's Road To Recovery program-a program that provides free rides to cancer treatment for patients who have no other way to get there.

"Transportation can be a major barrier for many cancer patients," said Stephanie Christensen, executive vice president, American Cancer Society Great West Division. "Many patients don't have a vehicle or are too sick to drive themselves. Without this program, many patients would miss their potentially life-saving treatment. We are very grateful to the Seahawks and their fans for helping us provide rides to local patients in need."

Fans will also be able to make a donation at all registers during check out. The Pro Shop's pink merchandise includes men's and women's Nike sweatshirts and t-shirts, plus a line of New Era breast cancer awareness caps. The Pro Shop retail stores are located at CenturyLink Field, downtown Seattle, Renton Landing and Alderwood Mall.

In partnership with American Cancer Society and Talking Rain, the team has selected five local high schools to receive NFL Pink Toolkits which include pink helmet stickers, pink pom poms and banners to help expand and promote their designated breast cancer awareness games. Participating high schools include: Auburn, Bothell, Highline, Skyline and Snohomish.

Fans may join the year-long fight against breast cancer by visiting NFL.com/pink and signing up for a personal screening reminder, donating to the American Cancer Society and posting a social pledge to get screened using #NFLPink.

Virginia Mason, the official healthcare partner of the Seahawks, has joined the team to share stories of current patients, survivors and the doctors who are treating those impacted by the disease. These stories will be posted on Seahawks digital platforms. 

"I am living proof that breast cancer screenings can save your life," said Sue Anderson, Virginia Mason president and breast cancer survivor. "We are so excited to be partnering with the Seahawks on this critically important health issue. We appreciate all the team's efforts to raise awareness in the communities we serve."

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 23 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About Road To Recovery

The American Cancer Society's Road To Recovery program provides transportation for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. The program allows volunteer drivers to donate their time and use of their vehicles to provide rides to treatment for those in need. In 2014, 1,190 rides were provided to King County patients through the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program.  Visit cancer.org for more information.

About Virginia Mason Health System
Virginia Mason, founded in 1920, is a nonprofit regional health care system based in Seattle that serves the Pacific Northwest. In the Puget Sound region, the system includes 336-bed Virginia Mason Hospital; a primary and specialty care group practice of more than 500 physicians; regional medical centers in Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Federal Way, Kirkland, Issaquah and Lynnwood; Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled-nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the U.S. designed and built specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS; Benaroya Research Institute, which is internationally recognized for autoimmune disease research; and Virginia Mason Institute, which trains health care professionals and others from around the world in the Virginia Mason Production System, an innovative management methodology for continually improving quality, safety and efficiency. Virginia Mason online: VirginiaMason.org

Virginia Mason Health System also includes Yakima-based Memorial Family of Services and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, a 226-bed facility serving the Yakima Valley in Central Washington since 1950. Memorial Family of Services comprises primary care practices and specialty care services, including high quality cardiac care, a continuum of cancer care, hospice care, and advanced services for children with special health care needs. Memorial online: YakimaMemorial.org