Each year proceeds from the t-shirt sale, online donations and school- and team-driven activities go to support pediatric cancer research at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and to select charities that help local children currently battling cancer and their families.

 

“No child, or family, should feel alone in their cancer diagnosis. Blackout has become a powerful source of support for local children and their families. It is so inspiring to see everyone come together in the same shirt and become a unified front,” noted Michelle Stoddard, Project Blackout Board Member and mother of Cole Stoddard, who inspired the first Blackout event and died of neuroblastoma at the age of five. “This year’s logo feels incredibly special because of how much Blackout has grown since the first game. One day there will be no children in need of our support as we turn out the lights on pediatric cancer. Until then, we hope to be a beacon of light, love and inspiration.”

 

Project Blackout games unite athletes, school communities and their towns to reach thousands of people each year, build awareness of New England’s high rate of pediatric cancer and honor local families affected by pediatric cancer through special half-time ceremonies, game-day events and more. As schools grow their Blackout effort, additional athletic teams, youth sports organizations and local businesses also host a variety of fundraising and awareness events.

 

“Blackout games reached a record number of towns across New Hampshire and Massachusetts last year, and the passionate commitment of the athletic teams, schools and communities we work with inspires us,” said Erica Camilo DiNitto, Board President of Project Blackout and Windham, NH resident. “Together, we aim to inspire more kids, teams, families and communities, as well as drive new traditions, meaningful action and eventually a cure. As Blackout activities in each school community expand, Blackout t-shirts have become an increasingly powerful symbol of comradery and support.”

 

We encourage everyone to wear their Blackout t-shirt to school on Monday, September 23^rd and to each of our teams games and matches (see list below) to demonstrate unity and raise awareness. Thousands of t-shirts are sold each year, and t-shirts from previous years are worn year round, especially the weeks leading up to Blackout Day.

 

#ProjectBlackout #TogetherWeInspire #TurnOutTheLights

 

Started in 2010, Project Blackout is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to turn out the lights on pediatric cancer. According to the AACR, the Northeast has the highest pediatric cancer rates in the United States. Dedicated to uniting local towns and schools to help children diagnosed with cancer, Project Blackout aims to educate communities, raise funds for research and support those affected by pediatric cancer. To date, Project Blackout has reached tens of thousands of people across NH/MA and has raised more than $370,000 for pediatric cancer awareness, research and support.

 

If you have not picked up your pre-ordered Blackout t-shirt or would like to purchase a t-shirt, please come down to the Athletic Offices this week.  Cost is $20 cash or checks made payable to Project Blackout.

 

Tue 9/24 - Freshman, JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball vs Ursuline Academy 3:30/4:30/5:30pm

Tue 9/24 -  Boys Cross Country vs Boston College High 4:00pm

Wed 9/25 - Varsity Boys Golf vs Catholic Memorial 2:25pm

Thurs 9/26 - Varsity Girls Soccer vs Mystic Valley 4:00pm

Thurs 9/26 - Varsity Boys Soccer vs Mystic Valley 6:00pm

Fri 9/27 - Varsity Girls Swimming vs Ursuline Academy 3:15pm

Fri 9/27 - Varsity Football vs Concord High School (NH) 6:00pm

Sat 9/28 - Girls JV Soccer vs Medford 10:00am

Sat 10/5 - JV and Varsity Field Hockey vs Ursuline Academy 9:00am