The Chicago Bears and Bears Care, the charitable arm of the Chicago Bears, hosted the third annual Real Bears Fans Wear Pink Season Opener at the PNC Center at Halas Hall on Friday, September 23. The event brought together a diverse group of over 80 guests including members of the Bears family as well as women who have been touched by breast cancer in a variety of ways. Footage of today's event is available for viewing and use here.

Each year during the month of October when the NFL recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bears Care conducts the Real Bears Fans Wear Pink campaign. Fans have the opportunity to purchase Real Bears Fans Wear pink t-shirts that feature a new and exclusive design. The campaign allows Bears Care to raise and distribute funds to organizations providing care, assistance and support services to Chicagoland breast cancer patients and their families, and offer access to critical breast health services to low-income women.

Bears Care welcomed charitable partners to the Season Opener to celebrate survivorship, the return of football season and to launch the 2016 Real Bears Fans Wear Pink campaign. As part of the event, guests enjoyed lunch and heard from Emmy Award-winning journalist, news anchor and breast cancer survivor Zoraida Sambolin, who shared her personal and inspiring story and encouraged other survivors to do the same. 

Bears Care also celebrated the success of last season's campaign by presenting $155,000 in grants to 16 different organizations. Grant recipients included ALAS-WIGS, A Silver Lining Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Cancer Wellness Center, Edward Foundation, Gilda's Club, Imerman Angels, KishHealth System, Living Well CRC, R.O.W., Sing to Live, Sisters Network Chicago, The Cancer Support Center, The Methodist Hospitals, The Resurrection Project, and Wellness House. 

The 2016 Real Bears Fans Wear Pink t-shirts are on sale now. Shirts are available for $25 at ChicagoBears.com/pink, in gift shops at NorthShore University Health System's four hospital locations, and at Soldier Field during the Bears home games in October. Fans can also support the campaign by making a donation at checkout registers at all Jewel-Osco locations during the month of October. 

The Bears would like to offer special thanks to NorthShore University HealthSystem and Jewel-Osco for their long-time and continued support of this important initiative.