CARBONDALE, Ill. – Saluki Athletics and Southern Illinois Healthcare announced today that the 2013 Black Out Cancer game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 when the SIU football team hosts Youngstown State at 6 p.m.

The third annual Black Out Cancer event will again feature a jersey auction. Fans can bid to place their name or the name of a loved one affected by cancer on the back of one of the 80 special black jerseys the Salukis will wear during the game. The game-worn jerseys will be given to successful bidders following the game.

All funds raised from the auction will go toward SIH’s plans to build a new cancer treatment center in southern Illinois, the SIH Cancer Center. Presently, cancer patients who live in the region are often required to travel long distances for treatment. A new, centralized treatment center would bring more quality care to the area.

“This community, through Saluki Way, made a significant investment in Saluki Athletics,” Director of Athletics Mario Moccia said. “This is one more way that we can repay that investment that the community made.”

Saluki Athletics and SIH are entering the second year of a three-year agreement to sponsor an annual Black Out Cancer game. The partnership with SIH also includes the Saluki Volleyball team’s Dig for the Cure, women’s basketball’s Pink Out game and softball’s Strikeout Cancer game.

To bid on a jersey, go to salukisblackoutcancer.com. Bidding will end at 8 p.m. on Sept. 16.