Seahawks Hosted Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Patients At Practice For Crucial Catch Month

In honor of Crucial Catch month, the Seahawks hosted six Virginia Mason Franciscan Health patients at a practice.

Oct 17, 2025 at 01:11 PM

In collaboration with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, the Seahawks hosted patients at a Seahawks practice as part of the NFL's Crucial Catch initiative. The Seahawks are highlighting six patients, who each represent the one of the six screenable cancers – breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate and skin.

We took some time to honor and highlight each of their unique stories. Read more about each individual below.

Steve Morrison, Prostate Cancer Survivor

Steve Morrison is a 56-year-old marathon runner who wasn't expecting any surprises at a check-up with his primary care physician at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. He scheduled the visit after his family's encouragement, simply because it had been a while – not because he had any health concerns. After his primary care physician recommended a PSA test, a blood test to screen for prostate cancer, he learned he had prostate cancer.

"It was a wakeup call for me," Morrison said. "Please learn from my experience and get tested. Early detection leads to better outcomes."

Donna Stanley, Skin Cancer Survivor

Donna Stanley is a 24/7 caregiver for her husband, who often puts her own needs last. One day, she noticed a mole on her arm that looked different. She made an appointment with a dermatologist, and after a biopsy, received the news that it was melanoma.

"Thanks to early detection, I was quickly referred to Dr. Stich, who performed surgery the following week," Stanley said. "I was lucky. Dr. Stich got all of it."

Stanley added, "Now, I'll be screened every three months. Even when life is busy and you're caring for others, don't forget to care for yourself. Please take the time to be screened, it could save your life."

Tina Rodriguez, Cervical Cancer Survivor

Tina Rodriguez is a busy mother, who was looking out for her daughter's healthcare. To set a good example, she scheduled a routine exam, which led to an abnormal cancer screening test result. Once she got the news of her cancer, she met with Dr. Safari at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, and that's when her journey really began. She is still recovering now, thanks to the help of family, and her oncology care team.

Gina Hess, Breast Cancer Survivor

Gina Hess is glad she went to get her mammogram after her primary care physician reminded her it was overdue. That's when her cancer was found. She feels fortunate it was caught at an early stage.

"Don't put off your screening," Hess encourages.

She was able to get all of her care close to home, with Virginia Mason Franciscan in Burien, at St. Anne's Hospital. Hess and her partner, Marlann, are both breast cancer survivors. They are very happy to be back fishing again, which they had to cancel during her treatment.

Douglas Simmonds, Lung Cancer Survivor

Douglas Simmonds said having cancer is as scary as it gets.

"The doctors and nurses at VMFH did everything in their power to make me feel at ease and comfortable with the treatments and surgery to rid me of cancer," he said.

From the moment he showed up, he said they did nothing less but to treat him like royalty. In 3 month's time, VMFH was able to completely get rid of the cancer from the outstanding professionalism of Dr. Wu and Dr. Howington.

"I am forever grateful and owe my extended life to VMFH," Simmonds said.

Jaime Draeger, Colorectal Cancer Survivor

Jaime Draeger is a Seahawks season ticket holder and member of the Seahawks family through her husband and her daughter, who both work for the Seahawks. Draeger was at the Crucial Catch game last year just days after receiving her diagnosis of colon cancer.

As Draeger watched survivors ringing the survivor bell last October, she cried with hope, thinking she might be able to walk in their shoes someday. She is now caner free.

It has been a year now, since Draeger started receiving her care at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Tacoma.

PHOTOS: Seahawks Host Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Patients at Practice Ahead of The Crucial Catch Game

Ahead of our Crucial Catch game, we hosted Virginia Mason Franciscan Health patients at Thursday's practice who have intercepted cancer with early detection. We will be celebrating their Crucial Catch during Halftime at Monday's game. Visit vmfh.org/crucialcatch for more information