AstraZeneca, Joshua Jackson, and Gritty Team Up to Promote Cancer Screenings
AstraZeneca has launched the third year of its “Get Body Checked Against Cancer” campaign, enlisting actor Joshua Jackson and Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot, to raise awareness about the importance of regular cancer screenings.
Campaign Details
Joshua Jackson, known for his role in the “Mighty Ducks” film series, and Gritty appear in a new video promoting the campaign. Jackson references his past role as a doctor in the short-lived series “Doctor Odyssey” while alongside Gritty, who playfully “body checks” Jackson to emphasize the message. The video highlights the necessitate for individuals to discuss appropriate cancer screenings with their doctors, particularly those who were children when Jackson first appeared on screen.
“Did you know people are getting diagnosed younger and younger?” Jackson says in the video. “If you watched me on your screens when I was a kid and you were a kid, then you should be talking to your doctor about which cancer screenings might be right for you.”
Addressing Screening Gaps
According to AstraZeneca, nearly two-thirds of Americans are behind on their recommended cancer screenings. Mohit Manrao, head of U.S. Oncology at AstraZeneca, emphasized the importance of addressing this gap. Gritty added a playful call to action: “There’s a lot of important checks out there—poke checks, paychecks, rain checks—but here’s a reality check … Get body checked. Checkmate.”
Partnership with Hockey Fights Cancer
The “Get Body Checked Against Cancer” campaign began in early 2024 as part of AstraZeneca’s partnership with the NHL and NHL Players’ Association’s “Hockey Fights Cancer” initiative. Since its inception, the campaign has collaborated with various celebrities from the sports world and has donated over $1 million to “Hockey Fights Cancer” for cancer research.
Personal Connection for Joshua Jackson
Jackson’s involvement in the campaign carries personal significance, as his former “Dawson’s Creek” costar, James Van Der Beek, recently passed away after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer as reported by AOL. Jackson discussed this connection in an interview on the “Today” show, stating that Van Der Beek’s experience influenced his decision to participate in the initiative. Van Der Beek himself had partnered with Guardant Health last summer to promote cancer testing.
Jackson reflected on Van Der Beek’s legacy, calling him a devoted husband, father and “solid man” according to AOL.
About AstraZeneca’s Commitment
AstraZeneca’s ongoing commitment to cancer awareness is demonstrated through this campaign and its support of the “Hockey Fights Cancer” initiative as detailed in an AstraZeneca press release.