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Dodgers Recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month With Custom T-Shirt

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Los Angeles Dodgers players and coaches wore custom t-shirts designed by patients from UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Night at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 9, 2024. Photo by Los Angeles Dodgers

September represents Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which the Los Angeles Dodgers recognized on Monday night for their series opener against the Chicago Cubs.

Players and coaches were dressed in a custom white t-shirt that featured a special design on the back, created by select patients from UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

The patients also got to participate in an art class to draw their favorite player from the Dodgers roster, and they were celebrated during Childhood Cancer Awareness Night at Dodger Stadium.

Along with being introduced on the field during pregame festivities and running the bases, a group of the children also got to announce the customary “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball” before first pitch.

Pictures drawn by the patients were used on the Dodger Stadium video board when players were up to bat.

The Dodgers collectively and and on an individual basis have taken an active role in raising awareness for childhood cancer. Among various initiatives carried out were organizing virtual or in-person meet and greets with players at Dodger Stadium, hospital visits and wearing special equipment.

Justin Turner regularly partnered with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to have patients custom design pairs of Adidas cleats that he then wore during select games in September.

In 2022, Turner had his cleats, jersey and cap authenticated, so they could be sent to CHLA for a fundraising initiative. In addition to wearing custom cleats, the Justin Turner Foundation hosted a group at Dodger Stadium. One of which had the opportunity to join the mariachi that performs in the right-center field pavilion, which caught Turner by surprise.

Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation continues to give back to the community through a wide range of projects, including renovated baseball fields.

The latest Dodgers Dreamfields projects is due to have a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday morning.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com