• Phase 1 development of new digital therapeutic platform underway 

• Pilot study in 69 patients completed 

• Helping cancer patients live better with pain 

• Improved mental health outcomes in pain management 

Vancouver, British Columbia – TheNewswire - February 17, 2022 – Blackhawk Growth Corp. (CSE:BLR); (CNSX:BLR.CN); (OTC:BLRZF); (Frankfurt:0JJ) (the “Corporation” or “Blackhawk”), is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Digital Mind Technology Pty. Ltd. (“DMT”) has started its phase 1 development of a digital therapeutic application designed for treating cancer patients experiencing pain and at risk of mental health disorders. DMT expects to complete phase 1 in Q2, 2022,

DMT’s clinical trials in cancer patients aim to develop a mindfulness intervention that is useful in pain management.  Pain, endured for any length of time unsustainably can result in low mood and lead to depression, anxiety and other related mental health disorders.  The mindfulness intervention will be designed to manage negative patterns of thoughts and behaviours.

With pain being one of the most common symptoms reported by nearly 70% of cancer patients1, DMT is creating a digital therapeutic application and web platform between patients and clinicians that can be used by patients to more effectively deal with pain.

Cancer pain remains a challenging symptom occurring long after treatment completion, with a prevalence of 20-50% in cancer survivors.2  The burden of mental health disorders appearing as a co-morbidity in cancer patients is high with around a quarter of cancer patients experiencing depression 3-5.  A cancer diagnosis is life changing and in itself is a source of considerable psychological and emotional distress.

Dr Russell says: “In our pilot clinical trial in 69 patients, we saw that a digital therapeutic was helpful in treating cancer patients cope with fear of cancer recurrence. We are progressing well with our digital therapeutics platform to help cancer patients cope with pain that will have substantial benefit to mental health and wellbeing”.

1. Van Den Beuken-Van MH, Hochstenbach LM, Joosten EA, Tjan-Heijnen VC, Janssen DJ. Update on prevalence of pain in patients with cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of pain and symptom management. 2016;51(6):1070-1090. e1079. 

2. Gallaway MS, Townsend JS, Shelby D, Puckett MC. Peer Reviewed: Pain Among Cancer Survivors. Preventing Chronic Disease. 2020;17. 

3. Naser AY, Hameed AN, Mustafa N, et al. Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12(1067). 

4. Pitman A, Suleman S, Hyde N, Hodgkiss A. Depression and anxiety in patients with cancer. BMJ. 2018;361:k1415. 

5. Hartung TJ, Brähler E, Faller H, et al. The risk of being depressed is significantly higher in cancer patients than in the general population: Prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms across major cancer types. European Journal of Cancer. 2017;72:46-53. 

About Blackhawk Growth

Blackhawk is an investment holding company looking to create substantial value for its shareholders through the acquisition and development of high growth companies. It has focused its investments in the health, cannabis and cannabidiol industries in both Canada and the United States. Its portfolio of companies includes Sac Pharma, TERP Wholesale LLC, LeichtMind Clinics, Noble Hemp, Spaced Food, NuWave Foods, Digital Mind Therapeutics and MindBio Therapeutics, as well as a share position in Gaia Grow Corp. (CSE:GAIA).

The Company diligently posts updates through videos from the official company YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4f2tt3yAvOGhNLjgNOy-A  

Please join the conversation on our Blackhawk group supporter’s telegram group at https://t.me/Blackhawkgrowthcorp and visit us online at https://www.blackhawkgrowth.com.

For further information please contact:

Frederick Pels, Chief Executive Officer

(403)-991-7737

fred@blackhawkgrowth.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statement

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking information” with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including with respect to the development of a digital therapeutic application by Digital Mind Technology Pty. Ltd. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited those identified and reported in the Company’s public filings under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.