Seahawks Honor Cancer Survivors With Halftime Ceremony
by Loni Rahm. Photos courtesy of Dennis Rahm, Lake Chelan School District and the Seattle Seahawks
During halftime of the Seattle Seahawks’ Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Rams, the team honored cancer survivors and their families on the turf at CenturyLink Field as part of the NFL’s Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer campaign aimed at promoting cancer prevention awareness.
One of the participants was Chelan resident Kyle Miller, who shared her story with Lake Chelan Now. 
“The game day was fabulous. I was on the 20 yard line wearing a light blue shirt. It was so touching being with other cancer survivors. We met right at 8:30 as stated on the itinerary, and went out on the field with the Sea Gals.”
Miller told us she had been to the Kingdome for a Seahawks game in the late 70’s. “But Wow! Not having ever been to Century Link Field, it was breathtaking. We had a wonderfully catered brunch and sat in a roped off area designed especially for us. Going onto the field was so honorable. ”
Miller indicated she has battled cancer twice. Once at 35 years old (1993) and again at 50 (2008). Both were colon cancer.
“I don’t ever consider myself a survivor, mainly because I have Lynch syndrome which is a genetic cancer,” said Miller. “The condition was once explained to me that my gene was like the nutty professor. It tries to cure the cancer but gets everything messed up so it will always reoccur.”
Miller underwent surgical procedures to remove the organs previously affected so she knows colon and uterine cancer aren’t factors in her future, however she is acutely aware that with Lynch syndrome, cancer wants to find a home and will likely reoccur somewhere.
“So yes, I am tested yearly, but feel like it is a “crap-shoot” not a cure.”
Back to the CLink and the Crucial Catch ceremony.
Miller told us “We spent most of our time with the Sea Gals…unfortunately I did not meet any Seahawk players or Coaches. But that would not have been the highlight anyway. The highlight was honoring that I am a crucial catch. I practice early detection. My family now does early detection. And their health challenges are believed and taken seriously, perhaps because I paved the way as a young woman with cancer.”
Kyle Miller is pictured at far right as she and other survivors walk onto the field at Halftime. Seahawks photo.
Dennis Rahm photo: the field at halftime from a fan perspective.
About the Crucial Catch – Intercepting Cancer
When it comes to cancer, offense is the best defense. Visit this website to learn more about Seahawks Crucial Catch Sunday with Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan.
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