GREEN BAY (WLUK) — Packers vs. Cancer is back for another year of raising awareness and funds in the fight against the disease.

For nearly a decade, the Green Bay Packers have teamed up with Emplify Health by Bellin and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation for the Packers vs. Cancer initiative. It aims to increase awareness of all types of cancer, generate funds for cancer research and care and remind fans that early screenings save lives.

“We’re excited to be kicking off our ninth year of the Packers vs. Cancer campaign,” said Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey in a Tuesday news conference. “After raising awareness for breast cancer since 2009, along with the NFL, we launched Packers vs. Cancer back in 2017 to focus on all forms of cancer and show support for those who have been affected.”

Packers defensive lineman James Ester helped launch the 2025 Packers vs. Cancer campaign. He shared stories about his best friend’s experience with cancer.

“At a very young age, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. Obviously, being diagnosed with any form of cancer is terrifying for an adult, so just imagining that for a child is just almost unbearable,” said Ester. “Anyone who has dealt with a family member or a loved one experiencing something like that, it hurts to see them deteriorate and it hurts to see them lose who they once were.”

As a member of the Packers, as a player in the NFL, I think that it’s our duty to continue to support causes like these, given that we have such a platform.

“We always appreciate hearing from our players on these topics, since cancer touches all of us. Many of our fans have fought cancer themselves or supported a loved one through the disease, and we know our players can relate,” said Popkey.

Ester then greeted patients during his tour of the Cancer Team at Emplify Health by Bellin. The facility offers medical and radiation oncology, infusion services, palliative medicine, oncology genetics, physical and speech therapy and other cancer treatment support services. On average, Emplify Health by Bellin completes around 15,000 infusions and 12,000 radiation treatments each year.

This year’s Packers vs. Cancer campaign will be recognized at Green Bay’s Oct. 12 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Entertainment elements honoring cancer survivors and their loved ones will be incorporated throughout the game, and attending fans will receive a Packers vs. Cancer bandana.

Additionally, a new Packers vs. Cancer winter hat is now available for purchase at the Packers Pro Shop and online. The green and yellow striped knit hat features the Packers logo on the front and the Packers vs. Cancer logo on the back.

$5 from the sale of each hat will go directly to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. Shoppers at the Packers Pro Shop can also help raise money for the foundation by adding a $1 or more donation to any purchase now through the month of October. The team will match up to $10,000 of the donations.

Established in memory of the legendary Packers coach, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation works to provide patient care and find a cure for the disease. Funds raised through Packers vs. Cancer go toward innovative cancer research and treatments — such as exercise rehabilitation for cancer survivors, investigations to prevent cancer metastasis and patient navigation programs.

On Sept. 26, several Packers players will visit Notre Dame Academy for the Tritons’ game against the Menasha Bluejays as part of the Packers vs. Cancer campaign. The team will present a donation to both schools to be devoted to cancer initiatives. Notre Dame’s donation will be directed to Ribbon of Hope and Menasha’s to the Spierings Cancer Foundation.