When DE Isaiah McGuire and LB Winston Reid made their way around the seventh floor of UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, patients' faces lit up as they stopped into rooms to give out Cleveland Browns themed blankets.
One patient, after McGuire and Reid talked with her about the crafts she liked to make in her room, could not stop smiling. In another room, McGuire and Reid talked about their favorite colors and foods with a patient before signing his Browns flag on the wall. At each stop, McGuire and Reid posed for pictures and talked with patients, putting a smile on their faces and helping to bring joy to their days.
The generosity displayed by McGuire and Reid was a part of the Browns' visit to University Hospitals on Oct. 13. Alongside members of University Hospitals, McGuire and Reid visited pediatric patients at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital to celebrate Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer — the NFL's league wide initiative to promote early cancer detection and risk reduction efforts. C Elgton Jenkins and RB Quinshon Judkins joined McGuire and Reid at the event, visiting patients at the UH Seidman Cancer Center.
Since 2014, University Hospitals has been a partner and the Official Health Care provider for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns and UH have held annual visits during football season to support Crucial Catch since their partnership began.
"Crucial Catch is about more than raising awareness. It's about showing up for patients and families who are facing some of life's toughest challenges," Ted Teknos, MD, President and Scientific Director of UH Seidman Cancer Center said. "We are grateful to the Cleveland Browns for their continued partnership and for taking the time to create moments of joy and encouragement for our patients. Those moments can make a meaningful difference during a cancer journey."
The visit helped put daily life into perspective for McGuire, who mentioned that he has had loved ones who have battled cancer. McGuire also noted that he wants to continue to use his platform for causes that are bigger than football.
"It's an indescribable feeling simply because it's priceless," McGuire said. "We were told that some of the kids we saw today haven't smiled in weeks. So, for us to come in and be able to provide that, not only for them but for their families, is a really big blessing."
For Reid, being able to brighten the days of the patients he met with and encourage them to continue fighting through what they were going through was important. Throughout the visits, Reid connected with patients and their families, including sharing pizza as his favorite food with one patient.
"It's good to see them smile with what they're going through," Reid said. "When we show up and they're so happy, it was really uplifting for me and Isaiah. I think it was more for them, just to see us showing up for them."
Along with the visit, the Browns will continue to celebrate Crucial Catch when they host the Ravens in Week 6. Through Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer, the league, clubs, players and the American Cancer Society team up to promote screening and early detection for all forms of cancer. The Browns utilize the month of October to honor those who are battling cancer, as well as survivors and their caregivers.
Other Browns players, including WR Denzel Boston, CB Tyson Campbell, WR KC Concepcion Jr., T Spencer Fano, DT Mike Hall Jr., DE Jared Verse and LB Quincy Williams also showed their support for the Crucial Catch initiative. Each player posed with signs stating people that have been impacted by cancer whom they will be playing in honor of on a social media post on the Browns' accounts.
Before the Browns' game at Huntington Bank Field on Oct. 18, 45-year-old Luke Williams, who is battling stage four colon cancer, will participate in the University Hospitals Survivorship Bell Ringing. The Survivorship Bell Ringing started at the Browns' 2024 Crucial Catch game against the Ravens. Used by treatment centers, the bell ringing tradition marks the completion of chemotherapy and radiation treatment for patients.
"It's an honor fighting for all of us," Williams said. "That's how I feel, just fighting for everyone who is battling cancer or who has gotten over cancer. I'm glad that I can be a part of it."
