Crucial Catch: Intercepting cancer together The best defense is a strong offense. That’s why Kettering Health has partnered with the Cincinnati Bengals to advance the NFL’s Crucial Catch mission to fight cancer through early detection and risk reduction. Many cancers can be caught early through cancer screenings. Kettering Health is committed to providing people the tools they need to help them better understand the importance of early detection and ways to reduce their cancer risk. Crucial Catch focuses on six common, screenable cancers (breast, cervical, colon, lung, prostate, and skin), encouraging people to be proactive about working with their healthcare provider to determine what screenings are recommended and other steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of cancer. “Cancer screening saves lives,” says Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor. “I’m proud to team up with Kettering Health to raise awareness about the importance of cancer prevention and early detection.” The Bengals’ Crucial Catch mission also includes honoring cancer survivors and patients who are still fighting their cancer battles. “The Bengals are proud to be a positive force in the fight against cancer,” said Bengals Director of Strategy and Engagement Elizabeth Blackburn. “Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S., and the Bengals, along with great partners like Kettering Health and Crucial Catch, provide an important platform to raise awareness about resources that can help save lives.” “we can place our worries in the box, and we no longer have to worry about it because it’s in the box,” she says. “That helped me a lot because I learned how to control my emotions, and they taught us how we can talk to people about our emotions.” Joseph enjoyed “all the projects we did, and the food,” he says. “I liked the masks we made and the worry box. I really liked seeing where Daddy got his treatments and seeing the radiation machine. The teachers were really kind, too.” But his biggest takeaway from CLIMB was learning the “three Cs”: “I didn’t cause cancer. I can’t catch cancer, but I can help people with cancer.” While Melissa praises many things about CLIMB—the people and the process—she says the best part was that “my kids felt safe going there.” After their children graduated from CLIMB, the Williamson family made a donation to Kettering Health’s CLIMB program so more children can benefit from it. “Even though my children aren’t the patient, they are a part of the patient,” Melissa says. “The CLIMB program fits into Kettering Health’s model of caring for the patient and the whole health of those involved.” Looking to the future As of July 2023, Melissa gets scans every six months and will need to do so for the next 10 years. But she’s been given a good bill of health and doesn’t require further treatment. Chris recently underwent an auto stem cell transplant and is home recovering. When asked about their children’s progress, Melissa says that through faith, a supportive healthcare team, and the CLIMB program, “We are able to get through this. I can’t say how grateful I am.” 9 To learn more about Crucial Catch, visit ketteringhealth.org/crucialcatch
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