Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Dragons present an Anthem Home Run for Life

Dayton, Ohio — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 9-year-old JD Shope during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the South Bend Cubs at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

JD Shope is an active third grader at Arrowood Elementary. He spends his time hanging out with his friends, watching TV, and riding his horse Mac. His favorite passion is riding rollercoasters. While he sounds like a typical kid, JD’s journey in the last year has been far from typical.

In the spring of 2017, JD began vomiting somewhat regularly – enough that his parents took him to his pediatrician for an exam. After a visit to a gastroenterologist and additional testing, what seemed like a classic case of acid reflux turned out to be much more.

Doctors recommended that JD undergo neurological imaging to look for the cause of his symptoms. On his 9th birthday, JD had a CT scan done and, unfortunately, his scan revealed an egg-sized tumor in his brain.

The initial 72 hours after JD’s diagnosis was a whirlwind. JD was scheduled for a surgery to remove the tumor as soon as possible. The surgery was more complicated than surgeons initially thought but, thankfully, they were able to remove the entire tumor and the immediate results looked great.

Following surgery, JD began physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength. Through it all, JD’s personality shined. He was always upbeat, positive, and had a great sense of humor. JD’s most recent MRI showed no new tumor growth, meaning he will not have to have chemotherapy or any other treatments at this time.

JD is looking forward to living a normal life this summer. He hopes to visit a local waterpark or two. He has big dreams of attending The Ohio State University and focusing on either veterinary studies or the culinary arts. Since his experience with a brain tumor, JD has great advice for anyone going through a scary or overwhelming medical situation, “You have to be patient, confident and strong…The doctors and nurses will take the very best care of you they can!”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in JD’s life, including his parents Jason and Pam, siblings Marissa and Megan, Dr. Lober, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on JD as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on April 18.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dragons to Recognize Honor Flight Dayton Program on April 11

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons will recognize the Honor Flight Dayton program during an inning break of their game on Wednesday, April 11 against the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Field. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday’s event is the first of four special Hometown Heroes program spotlights at Dragons games this season. At each Hometown Heroes event, the Dragons pay tribute to all service men and women past and present. Presenting sponsors are the Dayton Development Coalition and Leidos. Additional tributes are scheduled for May 8, June 24, and July 15, each focused on a different aspect or organization involved in the military. The season-long celebration will wrap up with a Celebration Night on August 18.

Many veterans and chaperones who will be participating in the scheduled April 14 Honor Flight will be in attendance at the Dragons Hometown Heroes spotlight during the game on April 11.

Honor Flight Dayton’s mission is to ensure that Dayton area veterans have the opportunity to see their national memorials in Washington, D.C. These once in a lifetime trips are provided at no cost to qualified veterans. Created in 2005, the first Honor Flight took 12 veterans on six small planes from Springfield, Ohio to D.C. Since then, thousands of veterans have been escorted to see their memorial. The program is still going strong with up to four flights per year. In 2017, year more than 440 veterans were able to enjoy this experience. This program started with WWII veterans, but now much of their impact is on Korean and Vietnam veterans.

To donate, volunteer, nominate a veteran, or learn more about Honor Flight Dayton, please visit www.honorflightdayton.org or call (937) 322-4448.

For more information on the Dragons Hometown Heroes program, go to daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools in Three Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, will visit schools in three different counties across the Miami Valley this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

10:00am-10:45am

Cox Elementary

506 Dayton Avenue

Xenia, OH, 45385

Phone: 937-372-9201

11:15am-12:00pm

Saville Elementary

5800 Burkhardt Rd.

Dayton, OH, 45431

Phone: 937-259-6625

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Warder Park-Wayne Elementary

2820 Hillside Ave.

Springfield, OH, 45503

Phone: 937-505-4459

11:15am – 12:00pm

Snyder Park Elementary

1600 Maiden Ln.

Springfield, OH, 45504

Phone: 937-505-4430

Members of the media may contact schools individually at the numbers listed above if they intend to attend and cover the visits.

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Dragons Mascots, Green Team at Area Schools

Dayton, Ohio-Opening night for the 2018 baseball season is 10 weeks away, but Dayton Dragons mascots Heater and Gem along with the Dragons Green Team are already bringing the excitement of baseball season to local elementary schools. For the sixth straight year, the Dragons entertainment team is performing assemblies at Miami Valley elementary schools. The program continues into April.

Each 30-minute interactive, fun, high-energy performance includes a visit by Heater or Gem and members of the Green Team, the Dragons signature group that facilitates skits, contests, and sing-a-longs during Dragons games at Fifth Third Field. Each assembly in 2018 focuses on “Teamwork.” The performances, typically held in the school gymnasium, include some of the same entertainment skits seen at the ballpark, plus some new material designed specifically for the schools.

All Dragons assemblies are performed free of charge for schools that sign up. Participating elementary schools on board so far stretch from Springboro to Sidney.

The assemblies provide an introduction to the Dayton Dragons School Program, an incentive-based school fundraiser that provides prizes to students and allows the schools to keep a portion of ticket sales to Dragons games.

The Dragons are providing prizes as part of the program including team merchandise, an invitation to a Donatos Pizza Party with Dragons players, and the grand prize, a Google Chromebook.

The Dragons 19th Opening Night is set for Saturday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Dragons will officially open the 2018 Midwest League season on the road on Thursday, April 5 against the Hot Rods in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Making Strides Walk Coming Up Saturday, Oct. 21

DAYTON, OHIO – The 2017 “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 21. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. The walk will start at 9:00 a.m.

This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2016 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2017. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women (excluding skin cancer) and second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery, and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find, and treat the disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, has gone pink in October in support of efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

To register for the walk, please visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/Dayton.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

End of Season Jersey Auction for Dragons Foundation

End of Season Auction includes:

  1. Luis Bolivar, autographed white jersey
  2. Tony Santillan, autographed white jersey
  3. Scott Moss, autographed green jersey
  4. Taylor Trammell, green jersey
  5. Jose Siri, autographed orange jersey
  6. 1 Trammell autographed bat, 1 Moss & Santillan signed ball … the ball has both autographs on them
  7. 1 Siri autographed ball, 1 Siri autographed bat, 1 Siri autographed game program

Click here to visit the auction

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Dragons Support of Military Nominated for Award

Dayton, Ohio-For the second straight year, the Dayton Dragons have been selected as the Midwest League nominee for a national award selected by Minor League Baseball that will be presented at the Baseball Winter Meetings in December.

The Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award is presented to one club from among approximately 180 Minor League teams for outstanding support of and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community. The Dragons have been selected in a vote of the 16 Midwest League teams as the league nominee for the national honor in both 2016 and 2017, the first two years of the award’s existence.

The award is named after longtime Florida State League president Chuck Murphy, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army who served as the FSL’s top executive from 1990 until his passing in 2015.

For many years, the Dragons, in partnership with the Dayton Development Coalition, have included local military programs into their season-long schedule of events and promotions. Here are some highlights:

HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM

The Dragons partner with Wright-Patterson AFB for the Dragons “Hometown Hero of the Game” experience. For all 70 home games, we host a family in the Dayton community of a deployed Airman. All season long, the Hometown Hero of the Game program enables us to provide VIP treatment to WPAFB families. Every family receives a VIP tour, ballpark meals, and souvenirs.

HOMETOWN HEROES CELEBRATION NIGHTS

Hometown Heroes Celebration Nights are two special evenings focused on honoring our local service men and women from WPAFB and the Springfield Air National Guard. These games are filled with American-themed activities that celebrate the local military tradition. These nights give Dragons fans and the Dayton community the opportunity to support and thank our local service members and their families for the sacrifices they make.

DRAGONS AND THE DAYTON VA MEDICAL CENTER

For the past eight years, the Dragons and the Dayton VA Medical Center have collaborated with an annual event honoring veterans and active military and their families. The 2017 event brought over 600 veterans and families to the ballpark for a night of recognition to local veterans, as the Dayton VA Medical Center hosted their annual Welcome Home Outreach event.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Several other military events were also planned during the 2017 season at Fifth Third Field. On Memorial Day, Army PFC Mitchell Kirtley returned home from active duty in Afghanistan by surprising his family at a Dragons game. On June 14, in celebration of the 242nd birthday of the U.S. Army, the Association of the U.S. Army had an outing with the Dragons featuring numerous pre-game activities, and 30 Army recruits took part in a swearing-in ceremony during the game. On June 23, Vice Admiral Phil Wisecup threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the Dragons game. VADM Wisecup, from Piqua, is the former President of the Naval War College, the former Naval Inspector General of the United States Navy, and has been director of the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group since 2013.

The Dragons are the Midwest League nominee for the Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award and will considered along with the nominees from each of the other leagues within Minor League Baseball. The national winner will be announced at the Baseball Winter Meetings in December.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dragons Website Going Pink in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

DAYTON, OH – The Dayton Dragons have gone pink during the month of October. In partnership with Kettering Health Network, the Dragons have turned their website pink to support the upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, will remain pink to help draw attention to the efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2017. And while the breast cancer diagnosis rate has increased, there has been a steady drop in the overall breast cancer death rate since the early 1990’s.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery, and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find, and treat the disease.

The 2017 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be at Fifth Third Field on October 21 at 8:00 a.m. This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2016 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Fifth Third Field on October 7

Dayton, Ohio-The Alzheimer’s Association invites you to join them at the Dayton Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Saturday, October 7. The Walk will be held at Fifth Third Field – home of the Dayton Dragons. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m., and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. The Walk will start following the opening ceremonies.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest Alzheimer’s awareness and fundraising event. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions affected by the sixth-leading cause of death. Alzheimer’s is the only disease in the top 10 leading causes of death without an effective treatment or a cure.

By participating in the Walk, you will help fuel the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission-related initiatives of research, and care and support in the Miami Valley.

For more information about the event click here and to register for the walk, visit alz.org/walk or call (800) 272-3900.

Alzheimer’s disease is an epidemic, currently affecting more than 200,000 individuals in the state of Ohio. With your help, we can end this devastating disease together. The end of Alzheimer’s starts with you. Will you join us on October 7?

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Dragons to Host College Prep Night

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Fifth Third Bank will hold College Prep Night, a free educational event for prospective college students, at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, September 27 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

College Prep Night is a one-stop college resource event to guide incoming college students and their parents through the process of planning an educational path. High school students can talk to representatives from some of the region’s top colleges, and two lucky students in attendance will win $1,667 college scholarships, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank.

More than 1,000 students and their guests attend and more than 60 colleges and universities participate in this free event. Among the colleges scheduled to appear are Ohio State University, Miami (Ohio) University, University of Notre Dame, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Kentucky, Wright State University, and many more schools from around the region. Representatives will be on hand to answer whatever questions that students might have about college life at each particular school.

“College is an important milestone in life for those who choose to pursue it, and it’s important to us at Fifth Third to help students and their parents prepare financially,” said Doug Compton, Dayton city executive for Fifth Third Bank. “This is the tenth year for this great community event and it only seemed fitting to make the quantity and amount of scholarships a Fifth Third Better.”

The $1,667 scholarships will be given away after the event to two lucky college-bound students. To be entered to win, parents or students must RSVP before the event at www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep and must attend the event, although they do not have to be present to win.

In addition to visiting with the different schools, students and parents can participate in dynamic, informative workshops that will tell them everything they need to know about college. In one of the informative seminars, Fifth Third Bank will educate attendees on the new Fifth Third Momentum™ app, which helps pay off student loans faster.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

AHA 5K Walk/Run at Fifth Third Field Sept. 23

Heart Walk/Run will take place on Saturday, September 23rd

Dayton, Ohio – Fifth Third Field will host the American Heart Association’s Greater Dayton 5K Heart Walk/Run on Saturday, September 23rd from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. A signature event of the American Heart Association, the Heart Walk/Run promotes physical activity and healthy living in an environment that’s fun for the whole family. All proceeds will go toward funding research and education involving the reduction of heart disease and stroke. Individuals or teams can register online at heart.org/daytonwalk or by calling Ellen Duncil at (937) 401-4861.

The Walk/Run is specifically designed for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Day-of registration starts at 7:30 a.m., which is also when the gates open at Fifth Third Field. Before the event begins, families can roam the concourse or enjoy a fun and interactive health and wellness fair on the plaza. Sponsors will give out heart-healthy snacks and allow attendees to check blood pressure and help figure out body mass index (BMI). There will be inflatable games for children to enjoy and Dragons mascots Heater and Gem will roam the concourse and take pictures with those in attendance.

Heart disease and stroke survivors are also encouraged to visit the survivor area, created especially for the “honored guests” of the Heart Walk. Special gifts will be available to survivors at the walk.

The annual Kids Fun Run/Walk will begin shortly after 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. The 5K Race and Heart Walk is scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m.

Registration is quick and easy if you visit heart.org/daytonwalk. Once you click “Register,” you can join a team, join as an individual, or start your own team. After you complete registration, you can personalize your site and invite friends and family to participate or sponsor your efforts.

To learn more about the event click here.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION OF GREATER DAYTON

Located in Kettering, the American Heart Association of Greater Dayton covers 12 counties in the area and is committed to fighting heart disease and stroke throughout Ohio. The mission of the American Heart Association is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Currently, the American Heart Association is funding $660,000 of experimental research at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. For more information, visit heart.org/dayton.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Pink Ribbon Girls to be Honored as Community All-Star

The Dragons and Vectren will honor the Pink Ribbon Girls organization during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Thursday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Pink Ribbon Girls Story

Pink Ribbon Girls is an organization founded by breast cancer survivors who have a passion for supporting and empowering others who are currently in the fight against breast and women’s reproductive cancers. The organization is currently in its sixth year and serves women in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus.

Women that are diagnosed with breast cancer are given information about Pink Ribbon Girls before they even leave the hospital. The organization focuses many of their efforts on those who are dealing with the initial shock and uncertainty of this diagnosis.

Pink Ribbon Girls not only offers services to provide support for the family member with cancer, but also their entire family. Thanks to partnerships with Scratch Event Catering and Rush Transportation, the organization provides three meals per week for the entire family, housecleaning services, rides to and from treatment, and peer support.

The organization serves all women who are suffering from breast or women’s reproductive cancer and their families. There is no income base or age requirement.

President and CEO Heather Salazar has been impressed with the incredible support of the people in this area, “What this community is doing to change the lives of women and families facing the hardest battle of their lives is really, truly what a community should be about and Dayton has raised the bar in that regard.”

Pink Ribbon Girls hosts many events throughout the year, but “Ignite the Fight” is the organization’s signature event and is coming up on Saturday, October 21. Those interested in signing up to volunteer at events or fundraisers can visit the Pink Ribbon Girls Facebook page or visit https://www.pinkribbongirls.org/ for more information.

The Dragons Community All Star program, made possible by the generous support of Vectren, showcases amazing citizens and organizations that have gone above the call of duty to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley all summer long. To nominate someone or learn more, visit daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Carter McNabb to Celebrate His Anthem Home Run for Life on August 16

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host eight-year old Carter McNabb during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, August 16, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Carter’s Story

When Carter McNabb was born, doctors and nurses commented on how “perfect” he was. However, when Carter was only seven days old, things changed. The hospital ran some routine tests and quickly diagnosed Carter with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. An inherited condition, it affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. But in cystic fibrosis, the secretions become thick and sticky, which can prevent the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients, and can cause breathing issues.

Carter was hospitalized for the first time at 14 months of age. He spent 19 days in the hospital due to a severe bacterial infection. Since then, he’s been in and out of the hospital every six months on average due to other complications. Carter has a daily routine that includes taking more than 20 pills, receiving breathing treatments, and wearing a special vest that vibrates to help break up any thick mucus in his lungs.

Carter has a form of cystic fibrosis that still allows him to participate in many of the activities he enjoys. He loves playing basketball, baseball, swimming, and hanging out with his friends. From the outside, you would never know that Carter has breathing and digestive challenges.

Carter is now eight years old and will be in second grade at Whittier Elementary in the fall. He doesn’t allow cystic fibrosis to hold him back even though it’s not always easy. Carter has big dreams. “One day, I’d like to be a paleontologist,” Carter said. “I’m really into dinosaurs. They are cool!”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Carter’s life, including his parents Josh and Trista, siblings Kaden and Alana, Dr. Mueller, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on Carter as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on August 16.

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Hometown Heroes Celebration Night at Fifth Third Field

The Dayton Dragons and the Dayton Development Coalition will host the second of two Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights Saturday, August 5 at Fifth Third Field when the Dragons play the Lansing Lugnuts at 7:07 p.m.

“Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights represent something truly special about the Dayton Region,” said Jeff Hoagland, DDC President and CEO. “Our desire to thank those who serve our country, combined with a true American pastime, has created an incredible night dedicated to our Hometown Heroes. We want to thank them for their service and let them know, no matter where they are stationed, Dayton will always welcome them home.”

The Celebration Nights are the highlight of the year-long Hometown Heroes™ program, which honors our community’s service men and women affiliated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield, Ohio Air National Guard Base. The DDC and the Dragons, with the generous support of local businesses, began the program 14 years ago as a way for the community to support the thousands of military families in the region.

Colonel Adam Willis, the commander of the Air Force Reserves 445th Airlift Wing. and Colonel Bradley McDonald, the Wright-Patt installation and 88th Air Base Wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base., will throw out a first pitch.

Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to help welcome home members of the Air Force who have recently returned home from deployment, as well as recognize Selected Exceptional Airmen. In addition, Colonel McDonald will also swear in 15 new Air Force recruits during the game.

The Association of Defense Communities recently recognized Dayton as a Great American Defense Community, in part for the Hometown Heroes™ programs at the Dragons, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Art Institute, and Dayton Air Show. Hometown HeroesTM, working in close partnership with Dayton Hoopla/First Four events, UD & WSU Men’s Basketball, and the Fraze Pavilion, offers year-long events honoring our military community.

During the national anthem, which will be performed by Air Force Band of Flight/MSgt Alyson Jones, the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard will present the colors.

On the plaza, there will be a Security Forces Humvee, an Air Force Recruit Van, and the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron will showcase equipment used on evacuation missions. The Dragons Entertainment staff will hand out mini flags, and fans can sign “Thank You” cards to send to troops overseas.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com

The Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) is the leading economic development organization for the 14-county Dayton region. Working closely with public and private regional partners, its mission is to retain, expand and recruit jobs. The DDC and the Dayton region ranked as the nation’s top metro for its size for economic development in 2008, 2009 and 2012 and runner-up in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. With the State’s largest single-site employer in its backyard, the DDC also focuses on advocating for the critical missions at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and supporting the work of the United States Air Force. The DDC was ranked as America’s top military community, and was presented with the 2015 Community Excellence Award from the Association of Defense Communities. It was designated as one of the ADC’s Great American Defense Communities in 2016 – a testament to the collaborative efforts in support of Wright-Patt, America’s #1 Air Force Base as ranked by the Air Force Times (2014). For any questions regarding the DDC, contact Shannon Joyce Neal at (937) 231-5436.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dragons and Vectren Present 2017 “Community All-Stars”

The Dragons and Vectren will honor Juliann Price during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Friday, August 4, at 7:07 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Juliann’s Story

Normally, most of us scroll through our Facebook feed just to see if anything out there is interesting enough to get us to stop for a moment. But last summer, Juliann Price stumbled across a Facebook post that was more than interesting. It immediately altered the course of her life.

Juliann saw a post from her friend telling the story of Barbara Perlman. Barbara was in need of a kidney transplant and was running low on time. The call to action was simple enough, just get your blood tested to see if you’d be a potential match.

Most people would’ve felt something for Barbara’s story, but quickly gone back about their day. After all, who would give one of their kidneys to a complete stranger they’ve never met? Juliann felt something different when she saw the post, however. She was compelled to get the blood test and see if she could help.

“Something just spoke to me,” Juliann said. “I had never thought about doing anything like this before, but when I found out about her need, I just made up my mind on the spot and never turned back. I was going to help, whether it was her or someone else down the road.”

As it would turn out, Juliann was enough of a match with Barbara that they sent her to New York City for further testing last August. Those follow-up tests showed a match of 4.3 on a scale of 5, which was more than enough to go through with the transplant operation.

So on November 10, 2016, Juliann was wheeled into surgery where she gave up 1 of her 2 kidneys to allow Barbara a chance to continue living a normal life.

The surgery was very successful, and both ladies are living normal lives. They have also become great friends. The pair talk nearly every day on the phone and plan to reunite once again on November 10, 2017…a date they jokingly refer to as their “Kidney-versary.”

For showing us all what it means to truly help a fellow human being in their time of need, Juliann has been selected as a Dragons Community All Star.

The Dragons Community All Star program, made possible by the generous support of Vectren, showcases amazing citizens and organizations that have gone above the call of duty to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley all summer long. To nominate someone or learn more, visit daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.