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Windham's 2021 Blackout Game Highlight Video: 
Bishop Guertin's 2021 Blackout Game Highlight Video:

Windham’s 10th Annual Project Blackout Shattered Records Despite Covid Constraints
Pediatric Cancer Awareness Efforts Reached Communities Across New Hampshire and Massachusetts; Tenth Anniversary Events Toppled Fundraising and Awareness Goals

Windham, NH – January 23, 2022 – Windham-grown Project Blackout, a nonprofit dedicated to raising pediatric cancer awareness in New England communities through grassroots events and athletics, today announced that it surpassed its goals for the tenth year. In honor of Cole Stoddard, who died of neuroblastoma at the age of five, Project Blackout continues to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and inspire community-driven support for children who are battling the disease. Teaming up with Dunkin’ of Cafua Management and Brine Team Sports, Project Blackout reached more teams and towns throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts with six schools hosting Blackout Cancer games.
 
During Windham Blackout Cancer Week (September 10th through 17th), Windham residents, schools and businesses rallied behind this important cause, raised $40,000 and set the bar for other communities. Windham athletic teams dedicated games to pediatric cancer and raised awareness by sporting the t-shirts, or branded jerseys, socks, bows and eyeblack, while students from all Windham schools and preschools collected small toys to deliver to children undergoing treatment at Tufts Children’s Hospital. Local businesses also hosted a variety of fundraising and awareness events that sold out leading up to the 10th Annual Jaguar Blackout Cancer Football Game, which drew more than 4,000 fans to unite in support of local families and drove the sale of a record number of 3,600 Windham-anniversary t-shirts.
 
“Windham’s effort drew so much attention to the need for local pediatric awareness and community-led support over the past 10 years that schools and towns across the region have been eager to participate. Kids want to help and support other kids – Project Blackout gives them a way to turn feelings of sadness, fear and helplessness into comradery and kindness-driven action,” said Erica Camilo DiNitto, Project Blackout Media Relations.  “Blackout Week has become a powerful show of unity in the town of Windham that has snowballed across the region. The more we can help and support the children and families faced with this battle, the better.”  
 
Fans came out in droves for all of the 2021 events, sporting more than 6,000 Blackout Cancer t-shirts as a sign of solidarity to their local Blackout Cancer Football Games and throughout Blackout week around their towns to raise further awareness. The 2021 football events honored 13 families affected by pediatric cancer during special half-time ceremonies, while hundreds of football players wore a special Blackout Cancer game jersey in honor of someone in their life affected by cancer or put up special signs with the name at their game. Special Honors Banners were also hung at each of the football fields that included hundreds of names of people honored by individuals who wore the 2021 Blackout Cancer t-shirt. Participating schools/communities included:
  • Bishop Guertin High School (Nashua, NH)
  • Bow, NH
  • Malden Catholic High School (Malden, MA)
  • Pelham, NH
  • St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Dover, NH)
  • Windham, NH
 
Project Blackout raised approximately $80,000 in 2021 – another record year. Raising more than $235,000 for cancer research and support since its inception, Project Blackout donates the proceeds to support pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) and local charities in each community chosen by participating schools. Windham’s efforts are dedicated to the Windham Helping Hands Pediatric Cancer Fund to help children and families currently battling cancer in town. More details on the events and other ways to show support and help increase pediatric cancer awareness are available on the organization’s Facebook page. 
 
#TurnOutTheLights
 
About Project Blackout
Started in Windham, NH, Project Blackout is a 501(c) nonprofit organization on a mission to turn out the lights on pediatric cancer. According to the CDC, New Hampshire 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. www.projectblackoutusa.org
 
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Media Contact:
Erica Camilo DiNitto
Connexa Communications for Project Blackout
Erica@connexacommunications.com
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​Project Blackout Reaches More Schools
​and NH Communities

T-Shirt Sale Details Announced in Prep for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Events
Windham, NH – August 2, 2021 – Project Blackout, a nonprofit dedicated to raising pediatric cancer awareness in New England communities through grassroots events and athletics, today announced that six schools will be hosting Blackout Cancer games this year. The Windham-grown organization has teamed up with Dunkin’ of Cafua Management and Brine Team Sports to expand its reach to teams and towns throughout New Hampshire in 2021.
 
“What started as a dedicated town football game in Windham has snowballed into an overwhelming groundswell of support – this is now our third year as a nonprofit and tenth anniversary year of the game. Building on the tremendous amount of awareness we’ve created throughout all of our athletic teams, our schools, businesses and the Windham community at large, Project Blackout is reaching more schools this year at a time when the need is absolutely critical,” stated Bill Raycraft, Project Blackout President. “We are anticipating that teams, schools, and communities across New England will join future efforts to show unity and support by wearing Blackout Cancer t-shirts.”
 
Timed with pediatric cancer awareness month in September, participating teams will host Blackout Cancer football games this fall to unite our communities and build awareness of the high rate of pediatric cancer in New England. Participating schools/communities include:
  • Bishop Guertin High School
  • Bow, NH
  • Malden Catholic High School (Malden, MA)
  • Pelham, NH
  • St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Dover, NH)
  • Windham, NH
 
Featuring a new design each year, the Blackout Cancer t-shirt sale is an integral part of Project Blackout’s annual push to unite communities and raise awareness of pediatric cancer. “For one day, when we all come together wearing the Blackout Cancer t-shirt, that feeling of comradery takes over, and everything else is an aside. It is a wonderful experience,” said Ryan Brown, Athletic Director at Bishop Guertin High School.
 
Fans should plan to wear the 2021 Blackout Cancer t-shirt as a sign of solidarity to their local Blackout Cancer Football Games in September; the 2021 t-shirt will serve as a general admission ticket to the events.
 
Details on how to purchase t-shirts can be found at www.projectblackoutusa.org. If ordering online, be sure to place your order before sales close on August 11 and select your school/town when choosing your shirts and sizes. Orders will be available for pick up at local schools closer to Blackout Cancer Week; an email will be sent to those who purchase shirts with full details when available. As t-shirts are custom made, all sales are final and nonrefundable.
 
As always, those who want to support Project Blackout but do not want to purchase a shirt can submit donations online. All proceeds from the t-shirt sales and online donations will go to support pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and local charities in each community for pediatric cancer support funds.  
 
More details on the game specifics and other ways to show support and help increase childhood cancer awareness will be shared by each school and posted on the organization’s Facebook page in the weeks ahead.
 
#TurnOutTheLights


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Windham Blackout Cancer Week
​T-Shirt Sale Opens August 1, 2021

​

Town’s 10th Annual Project Blackout Set to Drive More Awareness Than Ever
Windham NH – July 30, 2021 – Windham-grown Project Blackout today announced that the official 2021 Blackout Cancer t-shirt sale will take place now through Wednesday, August 11, 2021. Featuring a new design each year, the t-shirt sale is an integral part of Windham’s annual push to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and show support for local families.
 
“Children should not have to battle cancer, but they are never in their fight alone. We had to show our support in different ways last year, but the spirit was still there,” added Joan Potter, Co-founder of Project Blackout. “Blackout Week has become a powerful show of unity in the town of Windham, and we plan to make it the biggest year yet in honor of our ten-year anniversary. We can’t wait to come together again as a town, wearing our Blackout Cancer t-shirts and showing our support.” 
 
During Windham Blackout Cancer Week (September 10th through 17th), Windham residents, schools and businesses will rally behind this important cause. Windham athletic teams will dedicate their games to pediatric cancer, and students from all four Windham schools and area preschools will collect small toys to deliver to children undergoing treatment at Tufts Children’s Hospital. In addition, local businesses will host a variety of fundraising and awareness events as September is pediatric cancer month. A complete list of events, games and sponsors will be released in September.
 
“While students and residents eagerly await their new t-shirts every year to support Project Blackout, there wasn’t a new t-shirt design last year due to the pandemic so we showed our support by wearing our throwback shirts from years past,” added Michelle Stoddard, Golden Brook School teacher and mother of Cole who died of neuroblastoma at the age of five. “As the t-shirt sale is both the biggest fundraising component and our favorite way to show our solidarity for such an important cause, we’re all eager for our special 10th anniversary design this year.”
 
Windham fans should plan to wear the current year’s t-shirt as a sign of solidarity to the 10th Annual Jaguar Blackout Cancer Football Game on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 7 pm under the lights at Windham High School (WHS). The 2021 t-shirt will serve as a general admission ticket to the event.
 
T-shirts can be purchased online at www.projectblackoutusa.org. Be sure to select “Windham” when choosing your shirts and sizes. Orders will be available for pick up at Windham High School closer to Blackout Cancer Week; an email will be sent to those who purchase shirts with full pickup details when available.
 
As always, those who want to support Project Blackout but do not want to purchase a shirt can submit donations online. All proceeds from town-wide activities, the t-shirt sales and online donations will go to support pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and Windham Helping Hands Pediatric Cancer Fund to help children and families currently battling cancer in town.
 
More details on upcoming events and other ways to show support and help increase pediatric cancer awareness will be posted on the organization’s Facebook page in the weeks ahead.
 
#TurnOutTheLights #WindhamUnitesForCancer 
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Windham Magazine Winter Edition 2019
​(click for full article) 

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Windham Blackout Cancer Week
​Raises Record Awareness and Funds for Pediatric Cancer

Project Blackout Reaches Milestone of $150,000 Raised to Fund Research and Support for Local Families Battling Childhood Cancer 

Windham, NH – November 27, 2019 – Windham-grown Project Blackout today announced that the series of 2019 Windham Blackout Cancer Week events around the town generated unprecedented awareness of pediatric cancer and raised more than $48,000 in funds for research and support efforts. All proceeds of the town-wide effort will go to pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, Sophia’s Fund, and Windham Helping Hands Pediatric Cancer Fund to help care for the children and families currently battling pediatric cancer in Windham.
 
“We are so thankful to have such an amazing community at our side during such a trying time for our family,” said Tara Flaherty of Windham. “It was so meaningful to see all the people in Blackout Cancer shirts around town and such an emotionally touching student-led tribute during the football game. It has been an overwhelmingly powerful source of strength and encouragement as we take on the pediatric cancer fight.”
 
Another record year, more than 3,225 Blackout Cancer t-shirts were sold this year and over 4,000 people attended the 9th Annual Jaguar Blackout Cancer Football Game at Windham High School (WHS). Residents of all ages sported both their 2019 t-shirts and designs from previous years to show their support throughout the week at games hosted by WHS and Windham Middle School (WMS) athletic teams. Students from all Windham schools and area preschools also collected small toys that were delivered to children at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.
 
Annual events like the kickoff party at Old School Bar & Grill and ladies night fundraiser at Friendly Red’s Tavern continued to generate sellout crowds. In addition, workout fundraising events, a pep rally at Fody’s Tavern and a more extensive “Taste of Windham” tailgate featuring local restaurants and food trucks made their debut for the 2019 effort to involve more local businesses than ever before.
 
Started as a community service project by the WHS football team in honor of Cole Stoddard, who died of neuroblastoma at the age of five and is the son of Golden Brook Elementary School teacher Michelle Stoddard, Project Blackout has now raised $150,000 via the annual Windham Blackout Cancer Week activities and is rapidly expanding to other communities across the state.

#TurnOutTheLights #WindhamUnitesForCancer
​Windham Blackout Cancer Events Spur Record Community Involvement 
 
Growing Lineup of Events Sponsored by Local Businesses Support Pediatric Cancer Awareness and Raise Critical Funds
Windham NH – September 17, 2019 – Windham-grown Project Blackout kicks off a series of events around the town to generate awareness of pediatric cancer and raise funds to support research efforts and care for the children and families currently battling pediatric cancer in Windham. All proceeds of the town-wide effort will go to pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and Windham Helping Hands Pediatric Cancer Fund to help families in town.
 
The hallmark Windham Blackout Cancer Week event, the 9th Annual Jaguar Blackout Cancer Football Game, will be held under the lights at Windham High School (WHS) on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 7 pm. Thousands of Windham fans will be wearing their 2019 Blackout Cancer t-shirts as a sign of solidarity to raise pediatric cancer awareness. There will be a dedicated student-led performance at halftime honoring the Windham children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Family friendly tailgating starts at 5 pm, with various local restaurants and food trucks offering a “Taste of Windham” for purchase before and during the game including Deli King, a Fried Dough Truck, Kona Ice, the Lobster Tail, a Taco Truck and Walking Food Gourmet.
 
Sponsored Windham Blackout Cancer events kick off tonight with the Second Annual Ladies’ Night at Friendly Red’s Tavern. The 21-plus sold-out event will include a mix of trivia, door prizes and wine tasting. It will also be the first official stop of the “Blackout Traveling Raffle” that includes a mix of coveted prizes and gift cards donated by Windham families and local businesses. The traveling raffle will then be featured at the select events leading up to the final raffle and drawing at the football game.
 
Planned events with a varied lineup of raffles, prizes, live music, karaoke and activities include:
  • Blackout Bar Class at C_Wickson Studios in Windham on 9/19 at 7 pm
  • Annual Kickoff Event at Old School bar & Grill on 9/21 from 4 to 8 pm
  • Blackout Pep Rally at Fody’s Tavern in Derry on 9/26  from 4:30 to 10 pm
 
New this year, Fody’s is supporting Windham Blackout Cancer through the end of the month. In addition to donating proceeds from the pep rally event, Fody’s is actively promoting pediatric cancer awareness and encouraging all guests this month to “round up” for the cause.
 
Windham athletic teams will also dedicate games to pediatric cancer throughout the week. The current game schedule is as follows:
  • WHS Girls Field Hockey vs. Concord on 9/23 at 4 pm
  • WHS Boys Soccer vs. Concord on 9/24 at 4 pm
  • WHS Girls Volleyball vs. Hollis-Brookline on 9/25 at 6:15 pm
  • WHS Boys Football vs. Manchester Central on 9/27 at 7 pm, tailgating at 5 pm
  • WHS Girls Soccer vs. Keene on 9/28 at 4 pm
 
For further details and a complete list of events, please visit the Windham Blackout Cancer Week Facebook Page. Supporters are encouraged to wear their Windham Blackout t-shirts from years past to the events and around the town to raise awareness.
 
Videos:
  • Students Talk About What Windham Blackout Cancer Week Means to Them
  • Windham Blackout Cancer Game Footage
 
#TurnOutTheLights #WindhamUnitesForCancer

Windham Glows this Holiday Season as
Blackout Cancer Week Announces Record Results for Pediatric Cancer

 
Town United to Raise Awareness and Culminated With Seventh-Annual Blackout Cancer Football Game ​


Windham, NH – December 22, 2018  - Residents of all ages joined together and opened their hearts to raise awareness of pediatric cancer during Windham Blackout Cancer Week last September and the results are nothing short of magic. Almost 3,000 Blackout Cancer t-shirts were worn by over 5,000 attendees at the 7th Annual Blackout Cancer football game, and the town raised just over $40,000 for pediatric cancer research.

“Windham Blackout Cancer week was even more special this year as the t-shirt logo was created by students in the Graphics Arts class at Windham High School,” said Superintendent Langlois. “The blackout t-shirt is an important symbol of unity and it is even more impactful coming from the students.”

Schools and businesses throughout the town hosted events during the week to bring the community together and raise funds honoring Cole Stoddard, who died of neuroblastoma at the age of five. Cole is the son of Michelle Stoddard, a first grade teacher at Golden Brook Elementary School.

Events included kickoff parties at Old School Bar & Grill, MaryAnn’s Diner, and Friendly Red’s Tavern; athletic teams from Windham High School (WHS) and Windham Middle School (WMS) dedicated games to pediatric cancer throughout the week; and students from all Windham schools and area preschools collected small toys that were delivered to children at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.

The hallmark event of the week was the 7th Annual Jaguar Blackout Cancer Football game where the community lined the stands and fields to watch their hometown team play and to honor Windham cancer families.

“Until you’ve attended a Blackout Cancer football game it’s hard to imagine the magic that happens there, “ said Bill Raycraft, WHS Athletic Director. “Long-time friends connect, entire families bond, and everyone feels the love of our cancer families at the half-time show. This is a community event with an important charitable purpose that everyone looks forward to.” 

Over seven years, Windham has proudly raised $111,000 for cancer. Proceeds from this year’s events will be donated to pediatric cancer research, Windham Helping Hands Cancer Fund and Childrens Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD).


Media Contacts

Erica Camilo DiNitto
Connexa Communications for Project Blackout
Erica@connexacommunications.com
610.639.5644

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​contact us info@projectblackoutusa.org
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