April is Minority Health Month, providing an opportunity to highlight cancer screenings and a healthy and active lifestyle. The National Football League (NFL) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have over a decade-long partnership known as Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer. A special visit by Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson and Ravens mascot Poe to Baltimore Medical System will provide resources on how to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Their visit will also advocate for timely cancer screenings at the center, made possible through the NFL’s Crucial Catch partnership, and help empower Baltimore’s minority community to take charge of their health. More than 10,000 cancer screenings for breast and colorectal cancer have been implemented in Maryland since 2012 thanks to the NFL Crucial Catch partnership.

Speaker Order:

WHO: 

Kris Kim, Executive Vice President, American Cancer Society
CAPT. Felicia Collins, MD, MPH, FAAP, Deputy Asst. Secretary, Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Tony Jefferson, Baltimore Ravens Safety
Ursula McClymont, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Baltimore Medical System

WHAT: Minority Health Month and Crucial Catch Visit, Clinic Tour and Health Talk

WHEN: Friday, April 19, 10-11 a.m.

WHERE: Baltimore Medical System, 3700 Fleet Street, #200, Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 558-4900

Crucial Catch is a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Football League, which is committed to saving lives from cancer and addressing the unequal burden of cancer in underserved communities. NFL Crucial Catch funding provides for ACS to administerCHANGE* grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in underserved communities in Baltimore and all 32 NFL markets. As part of the Crucial Catch campaign, the NFL and ACS created The Defender, a digital tool, which provides consumers with personalized tips to reduce their cancer risk. This free, user-friendly tool allows fans to take control of their health and increase their understanding of how healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce their cancer risk. Fans can access The Defender at TheDefender.cancer.org.

Minority Health Month: The Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services leads the national recognition for National Minority Health Month. This year’s theme is Active & Healthy and emphasizes the health benefits of incorporating even small amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity into our schedules. Physical activity promotes health and reduces the risk of cancer, chronic diseases and other conditions that are more common or severe among racial and ethnic minority groups. A recent American Cancer Society study, published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that even 30 minutes of light exercise daily is better than sitting and is beneficial to one’s health.

About Crucial Catch: The NFL, its clubs, the NFL Players Association and ACS are committed to the fight against cancer. Crucial Catch expands the impact of the NFL's work around breast cancer to address multiple types of cancer through prevention, early detection, and timely access to follow-up care as needed. Since 2009, the first year of the NFL's Crucial Catch campaign, the league's work has raised more than $19 million for the American Cancer Society. Money raised through Crucial Catch supports the American Cancer Society's Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE*) program, which promotes health equity and addresses cancer-related disparities in high-risk communities. Visit cancer.org/crucialcatch to learn more and get involved.

About Baltimore Medical System:

Baltimore Medical System (BMS) is the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) system in Maryland. BMS operates six health centers, four pharmacies and eight school-based health sites serving over 54,000 patients, including underserved and uninsured annually. BMS patients receive Patient-Centered Medical Home care, a team-based approach using evidence-based medicine to meet a patient’s physical and mental health needs. BMS is a HRSA designated National Quality Leader exceeding national clinical quality benchmarks, including Healthy People 2020 goals in chronic disease management, preventative care, or perinatal/prenatal care. For more information, visit www.bmsi.org.