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Project Blackout Kicks Off Annual Pediatric Cancer Awareness Effort

Teams With Communities Across New Hampshire and Massachusetts to Host Annual Blackout Cancer Football Games

MALDEN, MA – September 5, 2025 – Project Blackout opened its 2024 Blackout Childhood Cancer t-shirt sales earlier this month to meet strong demand from local communities. Typically running only the first week of August, the t-shirts, featuring a new logo/theme each year, are an integral part of Project Blackout’s annual push to raise pediatric cancer awareness and show support for local families. The 2024 online sale will remain open for through August 8, 2024 for all participating school communities, including:

-   Alvirne (Hudson, NH)

-       Bishop Guertin (Nashua, NH)

-       Malden Catholic (Malden, MA)

-       Pelham, NH

-   Windham, NH

Title sponsors Dunkin’ Cafua Management Company and Medicus Healthcare Solutions, as well t-shirt sponsors Brine Team Sales, The Common Man and MD Esthetics, play a critical role in helping Project Blackout maximize the impact of the t-shirt sale, which serves as the primary fundraising drive for the organization, as well as a general admission ticket for the Annual Blackout Cancer Football Games. Each year, proceeds from the t-shirt sale, online donations and school- and team-driven activities go to support pediatric cancer research at 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.”

Participating towns/schools encourage everyone to wear their t-shirt on the day of the Blackout Football Game 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.

Full details on Blackout games, upcoming events and other ways to show support and help increase pediatric cancer awareness will be shared directly by each school and posted on the organization’s website and Facebook page. Those who want to support Project Blackout in other ways can submit donations online or purchase shirts designated for families who need extra financial support.

Watch this video on the 2024 Blackout Theme or take a look back at how the Project Blackout community came together in 2023:

-       Bishop Guertin Blackout

-       Malden Catholic Blackout

-       Pelham Blackout

-       Windham Blackout

#ProjectBlackout #TogetherWeInspire #TurnOutTheLights

About Project Blackout

Started in Windham, NH, 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.

www.projectblackoutusa.org