CHICAGO, IL — Soldier Field’s annual pink game carried a meaning beyond the final score Sunday, as Advocate Health Care recognized ten breast cancer patients during the Chicago Bears’ 23-12 win over the New York Jets. Patients, family members and care teams were welcomed onto the field for the celebration, which has become a familiar part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Chicago.
The day also included participation from patients affected by other cancers, reflecting a broader focus on awareness and recognition. Advocate Health Care used the game to highlight treatment milestones, survivor support and the people involved in care, turning a football afternoon into a public tribute to patients facing serious illnesses.
Pink game traditions put patients in the spotlight
The annual Real Bears Fans Wear Pink game is designed to honor breast cancer patients and survivors while reminding fans about the importance of awareness during October. Advocate Health Care has used the event to bring patients closer to a large public audience, with the Bears’ home game offering a visible setting for that message.
This year’s ceremony kept those traditions front and center. Ten patients were recognized with their loved ones and medical teams nearby, underscoring that cancer care often involves a network of support rather than a single appointment or procedure. The event was meant to celebrate progress as much as it was to raise awareness.
By placing patients on the field before a national audience, the game created a moment that blended sports, community and health advocacy. The pink theme has become a recognizable symbol of that effort, helping the celebration stand out during one of the NFL season’s most watched local events.
Halftime ribbon ceremony marked a public show of support
At halftime, Advocate breast cancer patients, clinicians and supporters unfurled a giant pink ribbon in a symbolic gesture tied to the month’s awareness campaign. The visual display served as the centerpiece of the recognition, giving the crowd a clear and emotional sign of the event’s purpose.
Two patients also marked treatment milestones with a bell-ringing ceremony: Patti Hasemann of Aurora and Kandee Koehler of Whiting, Indiana. The moment highlighted progress in their care and gave the stadium a chance to share in the celebration.
Bell-ringing ceremonies are often used in cancer care to signal completion of a major phase of treatment or another meaningful step forward. Here, the ceremony added a personal note to the larger public event and put individual patient journeys at the center of the afternoon.
Dr. Nikolaos Dallas took part in the pregame coin toss
Advocate Health Care surgical oncologist and Illinois cancer service line leader Dr. Nikolaos Dallas joined the pregame coin toss, giving the organization another visible role before kickoff. His participation connected the day’s fanfare with the medical teams that help guide patients through diagnosis and treatment.
The pregame appearance fit the broader tone of the event, which combined football pageantry with a health message. By including a cancer specialist in one of the game’s most familiar traditions, Advocate linked the stadium experience with its ongoing care mission.
That presence also helped reinforce the idea that the recognition extended beyond the patients alone. Clinicians, supporters and family members were part of the afternoon, showing how awareness events can recognize both the people receiving treatment and the teams working alongside them.
Crucial Catch expansion widened the awareness message
Advocate’s connection to the NFL’s Crucial Catch campaign broadened this year’s focus beyond breast cancer. The game’s awareness efforts also highlighted colon, cervical, prostate and lung cancers, along with childhood cancer.
That expansion made the annual event more inclusive while keeping breast cancer patients at its center. Patients affected by other cancers took part in activities throughout the afternoon, giving more families a chance to share in the recognition and public support.
The wider focus also reflected a practical reality: cancer awareness month is not limited to a single diagnosis, and many households are touched by more than one type of cancer. The game gave Advocate a way to use a major sports platform to acknowledge that broader community of patients and caregivers.
A football victory shared the spotlight with patient recognition
The Bears’ win over the Jets gave the home crowd reason to celebrate, but the day’s most personal moments belonged to the patients honored on the field. The combination of sport and recognition created a different kind of home-game memory for the people invited to take part.
For Advocate Health Care, the annual event offered a public stage to celebrate treatment milestones, support survivors and raise awareness at a time when many health organizations are emphasizing early detection and patient encouragement. At Soldier Field, that message was delivered in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.
With the pink ribbon display, the bell-ringing ceremony and the expanded cancer awareness partnership, the afternoon brought together the elements that have made the event a fixture of October. It was both a football Sunday and a tribute to patients whose progress and perseverance were placed at the center of the day.
