Former Jets and Giants players and the CDC have partnered to increase lung cancer awareness in the “GEAR UP Against Cancer” campaign.
The initiative, taking place in New York/Northern New Jersey and other regions, aims to increase public awareness of lung cancer’s impact, emphasize the importance of regular screenings for adults at high risk for developing lung cancer, and create a deeper understanding of the unique needs of cancer survivors.
According to the CDC, lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States — and the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women. In 2023 alone, 131,584 people died from lung cancer in the United States. Regular screenings for adults at high risk for developing lung cancer can detect early signs of abnormalities in the lungs such as small nodules or masses, indicative of lung cancer or other conditions.
The campaign will feature former New York Giants Roman Oben and Shaun O’Hara, and former New York Jet Antonio Cromartie. They are among more than a dozen NFL Alumni ambassadors who will conduct outreach and education about the impact of lung cancer, the steps that can be taken to prevent it, the benefits of and need for regular screenings for adults at high risk for developing lung cancer, and the actions that survivors can take to stay healthy.
Former Giant and president of the NY/NJ Chapter of NFL Alumni Roman Oben praised the initiative and importance of the program.
“As former professional athletes, we learned early that preparation saves you when the pressure is highest,” he said. “Taking care of your health is no different—you need a gameplan. Understanding your risks, knowing when to get screened, and taking action before symptoms appear can be lifesaving. If our voices can help even one person take that step, then this work is already creating an impact.”
Lung cancer is often discovered only after it has spread to other parts of the body and when survival is at its lowest, according to the CDC, which is why annual screenings are recommended for high-risk populations to help identify lung cancer in its early stages when treatment works best. Statistics also show that men have higher rates of lung cancer diagnosis and death than women, and that cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor.
