Get Body Checked Against Cancer: Joshua Jackson & Gritty Bring the Message to Fans

Cancer touches almost every family—and now a new team is calling on fans to take action. AstraZeneca has teamed up with actor/producer Joshua Jackson and Gritty, the iconic mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, for a national public health campaign urging people to Get Body Checked Against Cancer by talking with their doctors about risks and recommended screenings. The mission is simple and urgent: don’t wait—get body checked.

According to the campaign, Joshua Jackson brings a unique cultural relevance to this message. Many of us grew up with him on screen and are now reaching the stage of life when conversations about cancer risk and screenings move from “someday” to “now.” That’s exactly the point—turn awareness into action by having a proactive conversation with your healthcare provider about what screenings may be right for you based on your age, medical history, and risk factors.

To make the idea feel friendly and familiar, Jackson is joined by Gritty, whose ice‑time energy helps translate the concept of a well‑timed body check into a timely check‑in with your doctor. The analogy is perfect: just like a smart body check can change the momentum of a game, early screening and informed decisions can change the course of a life. The campaign’s refrain is clear—action saves lives.

AstraZeneca leaders underscore the urgency. Mohit Manrao, Senior Vice President and Head of US Oncology, notes that beating cancer takes a team, and that with an estimated 65% of Americans behind on recommended screenings and cancer rates rising among people under 50, the moment to talk with a doctor is right now. The call to action: get informed, get screened, and get body checked.

Jackson adds a personal note: people close to him have been diagnosed with cancer, and he’s at an age where knowing his own risks is essential. His message to peers is straightforward—if you watched him as a kid and you were a kid back then, it’s time to ask your doctor about screenings. And in true Gritty fashion, the Flyers’ mascot sums it up with wordplay that sticks: “There’s a lot of important checks out there—poke checks, paychecks, rain checks—but here’s a reality check…Get body checked. Checkmate.”

The Get Body Checked Against Cancer initiative also supports Hockey Fights Cancer™, a joint effort of the NHL and NHLPA powered by the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Since 2023, AstraZeneca has been the first‑ever official national partner of Hockey Fights Cancer and has donated $1.1 million through the V Foundation to fuel game‑changing cancer research. That commitment off the ice mirrors the goal on the ice: keep pushing forward, together, until better outcomes become the norm.

Ready to take the next step? The campaign makes it easy to turn momentum into action. For information about which screenings may be right for you, help finding a screening provider, and questions to ask your doctor, visit Getbodychecked.com.