Today, on NFL football fields across America, goal posts were wrapped in pink padding and burly athletes donned pink shoes, pink gloves or pink caps to kick off October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The pink campaign dubbed “A Crucial Catch”, focuses on the importance of annual mammogram screenings for women over the age of 40. Throughout October, the pink apparel worn by players, coaches and referees will be autographed and sold at auction through the NFL website, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society and team charities.

Also up for auction, a VIP trip to the next Super Bowl and a 2011 Pro Bowl Spa Retreat in Hawaii.

Speaking for the campaign dubbed “A Crucial Catch”, the wife of Redskins owner Dan Snyder, and wife of Chargers president Dean Spanos bring passion to the cause that hits close to home.

For Tanya Snyder, a longtime breast cancer fund-raiser, the connection to breast cancer is a personal one.

“Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 American women, and I was one of them a few years ago,” she said. “I am proud to work with the league and the Redskins to remind fans about the importance of annual screenings.”

Susie Spanos is a big advocate for early detection, having caught early-stage cancer during a routine exam. She had the cancer removed and to this day insists on getting checked annually.

“I’m an example of when early detection is successful,” she said. “I feel strongly that women need to be their own health advocate, and if there is anything to say, women need to speak up.”

First Lady Michelle Obama joined the Walt Disney Company in a new media campaign designed to give parents and kids more reasons to eat healthy and exercise.

The multimedia initiative, Disney Magic of Healthy Living, launched Thursday includes public service announcements featuring Mrs. Obama along with young Disney stars, like Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers and Brenda Song, touting the goal of creating a healthier generation of kids.

Two new websites were launched also.

Nine-year-old Joshua Williams proves that big ideas come in small packages.

As president of the Joshua’s Heart Foundation, the young man is on a mission to alleviate hunger and befriend the elderly.

So far, he has fed 7,000 people.

WATCH the video below, or at MSNBC…

Nancy Siegler of Cameron Park, California knows first-hand the hope, strength and power of the sunflower. She started planting sunflowers last year after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

This year, her original 30 plants turned into 310, with 26 species, some sending flowers 16 feet into the air.

Siegler wanted to share this symbol of hope with her community, so she devised a garden fundraiser for breast cancer. The seed of her idea inspired the people so much that she received four times the number of donations expected, in turn catapulting her into various follow-up projects that have blossomed like weeds.