The Bears held their annual Crucial Catch game Sunday at Soldier Field during their Week 5 matchup against the Panthers, which was sponsored by Advocate Health Care. The NFL league-wide Crucial Catch initiative is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to combat cancer and save lives by prioritizing prevention, early detection and increased access to lifesaving cancer initiatives.

To honor breast cancer survivors Sunday, the Bears conducted an on-field celebration at halftime. Two Advocate Health Care breast cancer survivors — Anuradha and Gabriela — were specifically highlighted. Anuradha and Gabriela ran out of the tunnel and conducted the ceremonious ringing of the bell, symbolizing the end of their cancer treatment.

Anuradha was joined Sunday by her 6-year-old son, who is a loyal Bears fan. Anuradha was diagnosed with cancer in August 2022 and had surgery that October before doing four rounds of chemotherapy. She had her last surgery in May 2024 and is now cancer free.

Gabriela learned of her diagnosis at 38 years old, about a year after she gave birth to her daughter. Gabriela received a second opinion on her diagnosis and treatment plan at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, leading her to a more positive experience.

"That's when I met Dr. Christie Hancock," Gabriela said. "She recommended the same treatment plan as the first doctor, but she treated me with more compassion. I felt like she truly cared about me and my family and saw me as a person, not just a patient, so I transferred my care to her."

The pair's special moment was shared with more than 60 Advocate Health Care doctors, nurses and patients, who filled the field to display pink Breast Cancer Awareness flags.

Singer Patrice Hood performed a moving rendition of the song 'Pink,' which was written to raise awareness for breast cancer. Hood has worked in Advocate Health's finance department for two years and was the 2023 Advocate Health Has Talent winner.

At Sunday's game, Bears Care — the team's charitable arm — continued their sales of the 2024 Real Bears Fans Wear Pink t-shirts. With the support of its fans over the years, Bears Care has now donated over $2 million through the RBFWP program to local organizations serving the unique needs of breast cancer patients in their cancer journey.

To learn more or make a purchase online, please visit ChicagoBears.com/Pink. Proceeds go toward early cancer detection and addressing the unequal burden of cancer in under-resourced communities.