Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are leveraging their platform to spotlight early breast-cancer detection through a new campaign rooted in personal heartbreak.
At a Glance
- Two cheerleaders share how loved ones’ cancers were found after missed or first-time screenings
- Novartis-backed “Your Attention, Please” urges women to know personal risk and act early
- Campaign features TV spots and social content starring the squad
- Why it matters: Missed annual exams can allow tumors to advance, while first-time scans can catch cancer when treatment is most effective
Julissa Garcia was 14 when her mom, Christina, skipped her yearly mammogram at 43. Twelve months later doctors found a lump, diagnosing stage-1 breast cancer at 44.
“She is the best mom a girl could ever ask for,” Garcia, now 24, told News Of Los Angeles. “Everything that I am and everything that I will be is because of my mom.”
The Odessa, Texas, native watched Christina endure chemo and radiation while running the family trucking business.
“That one year that she didn’t go to her screenings truly changed her life and it changed my life,” Garcia said. “Now her journey has inspired me to prioritize regular self-checks, my overall health and staying on top of my breast health.”
Campaign Launch
The Cowboys cheerleaders have partnered with Novartis for the “Your Attention, Please” initiative that encourages women to understand individual risk and prioritize early detection.
Joining Garcia are teammates Trinity Miles, Charly Barby and Kelly Villares, each amplifying the message through appearances and social media.
A Cousin’s First Scan
Fellow cheerleader Trinity Miles’ story centers on her cousin Annmarie, who was diagnosed at 40 during her very first mammogram in 2021.
Two days after the screening Annmarie returned for a biopsy. Within a week she was preparing for a double mastectomy while parenting children ages 7, 6 and 2.
“When she was first diagnosed, the speed at which everything happened was overwhelming,” Miles, 23, told News Of Los Angeles. “She has taught me so much about resilience, vulnerability, and bravery.”
Annmarie has since completed treatment and is cancer-free.
Core Messages
Both women stress that timing is everything:
- Garcia urges women to book the appointment instead of waiting
- Miles notes cancer “doesn’t always wait until the recommended screening checks”
- Early detection can mean less invasive treatment and higher survival odds
This month marks 10 years since Christina Garcia was declared cancer-free.
“I think the biggest message is: Don’t wait,” Garcia said. “Early detection can make all the difference in the world. I want people to feel empowered, not afraid, because awareness leads to action and action can save lives.”
