Coming soon: Orange ChuckStrong bands

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - With head coach Chuck Pagano being treated for leukemia, the Colts are making a push this week to raise money for research of the disease.

At noon Thursday, the fountain at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center will be turned orange – the color that signifies leukemia awareness.

Then, starting Friday, orange ChuckStrong wristbands will be available through the online Colts Pro Shop. The wristbands, which will sell for $2, are expected to be available in Colts Pro Shop locations at Circle Center Mall and Lucas Oil Stadium by Sunday. Proceeds benefit leukemia research at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center.

Gameday fundraiser

At the Colts game Sunday, the team will be hosting a fundraiser to support the Simon Cancer Center. Volunteers from IU Health will be stationed outside each Lucas Oil Stadium gate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to collect monetary donations. They’ll also be giving away blue ChuckStrong wristbands while supplies last.

So far, more than $125,000 has been raised for leukemia research through the sale of ChuckStrong T-shirts at the Colts Pro Shop. The t-shirts continue to be available for $20 online and in both Pro Shop store locations.

The Colts are also encouraged to wear ChuckStrong T-shirts to Sunday’s game in honor of Pagano.    

Want to send words of encouragement to the coach?

Fans looking to send cards and notes of encouragement to  Pagano and his family should send them to: Indianapolis Colts, Attn: Chuck Pagano, PO Box 535000, Indianapolis, IN 46253. Neither flowers nor balloons can be accepted; a donation to the efforts listed above should be made in lieu of flowers or balloons.

For more information on the ChuckStrong campaign, visit www.colts.com/chuckstrong.