Makynlee Culbertson to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” with OKC Dodgers Friday

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers conclude the 2019 “Home Run For Life” series Friday night as they partner with INTEGRIS to recognize Makynlee Culbertson during the Dodgers’ game against the New Orleans Baby Cakes at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Culbertson, who was diagnosed at just six weeks old with spinal muscular atrophy, became the first child in Oklahoma to receive a new one-time gene therapy known as Zolgensma® thanks to the help of her child neurologist Jennifer Norman, M.D., at INTEGRIS Pediatric Neurology at Baptist Medical Center.

Spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, is a severe neuromuscular disease that leads to progressive muscle weakness and paralysis.

On July 19, at 17 months of age, Culbertson received Zolgensma® via an IV over the course of one hour. Now just six weeks later, improvements in Culbertson’s health are already evident – and continue to emerge.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“Five times a season we are proud to welcome these extraordinary Oklahomans to take the field at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “This is the ninth straight year we have partnered with INTEGRIS to honor these amazing individuals’ perseverance and courage to overcome major health challenges.”

SMA is characterized by the loss of motor neurons, which are responsible for communicating with muscles and telling them to work properly. This loss of motor neurons, which cannot be brought back, is due to a SMN1 gene that is missing or not working properly. Without enough SMN protein, motor neuron cells eventually stop working and die leading to difficulty breathing, eating, speaking and lifting the head.

Zolgensma was recently approved for the treatment of pediatric patients younger than two years of age with SMA. The one-time intravenous infusion is designed to address the genetic root cause of SMA by providing a functional copy of the SMN gene to halt disease progression. It is intended to replace a lifetime of chronic therapy for pediatric patients with SMA.

“This treatment has truly created a paradigm shift for what was previously a uniformly devastating and fatal disease,” Norman said. “SMA is essentially the ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease’ of childhood. With early treatment, we can now give these kids a normal life. That was essentially unthinkable even just three years ago. It has truly revolutionized the practice of neuromuscular medicine.”

Advances in Culbertson’s health have already arisen in August, which is fittingly SMA Awareness Month.

“She’s significantly louder already, where before she had a really weak cry and couldn’t really cough like you or I can. Now she can,” Shanna Culbertson, Makynlee’s mom, said. “Her grip and strength in her arms; her head control has gotten significantly better; her core strength; she can hold herself up for longer. We see little things every day. We just hope to keep gaining off of it.”

Shanna Culbertson noted that while the treatment is not a cure for SMA, it will continue to help improve her daughter’s quality of life.

“She’s still going to have a lot of therapy and rehab and stuff to gain back what she’s lost, but it stops the progression of it,” she said.

The Culbertson family, of Moore, Okla., feels very fortunate that their primary and secondary insurance plans covered 100 percent of the therapy that comes with a hefty $2 million price tag.

“It is definitely crazy expensive,” Norman said. “But ultimately, over the course of a child’s life, the one-time cost is actually a substantial savings compared to what insurance companies and families would spend for the intensive medical needs children with this disease would otherwise require.

“In addition to overall cost savings, there is also a huge quality of life benefit to the drug, which really can’t be described with a dollar amount.”

To read Culbertson’s full story, visit the Dodgers’ “Beyond the Bricks” website at: medium.com/beyond-the-bricks.

The Dodgers continue their homestand with 7:05 p.m. games tonight and Thursday against the Iowa Cubs at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. An on-field naturalization ceremony will take place prior to tonight’s game as 40 people will be naturalized as United States citizens in conjunction with a U.S. District Courts initiative. The series then concludes on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 select beer, bottled water and Pepsi products.

Fan Appreciation Weekend opens at 7:05 p.m. Friday when the Dodgers begin their final series of the season against the New Orleans Baby Cakes at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first 1,000 fans will receive a Dodgers hat. Select players will be available for pregame autographs and the OKC Disc Dogs will perform on the field. Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Supermercados Morelos, are scheduled to follow the game. Culbertson’s “Home Run For Life” will take place following the third inning and fans will have the opportunity to bid on game-used, game-worn and autographed Dodgers memorabilia during the Clubhouse Collectibles silent auction, presented by The Oklahoman.

Saturday’s game between the Dodgers and Baby Cakes starts at 7:05 p.m. and fireworks are slated to follow, presented by Allstate. Select players will be available for autographs prior to the game and fans will receive a complimentary 2019 team poster when they exit the ballpark.

Sunday’s game against New Orleans starts at 2:05 p.m. on a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday, featuring many family friendly activities including inflatables, face painters and kids can run the bases after the game. Red the Bat Dog will assist on the field during pregame activities and serve as bat dog for the game’s first three innings Sunday before interacting with fans on the concourse during the game. Red is a three-year-old Labrador retriever/German shepherd mix trained by Lukas Miller of Sit Means Sit dog training in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Catch the final OKC Dodgers game of the season on Labor Day starting at 11:05 a.m. Monday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Dodgers public address announcer Jared Gallagher will work from the concourse during the game. Fans can also celebrate the unofficial end of summer with the OKC Dodgers and Downtown OKC by participating in fun activities on the Mickey Mantle Plaza, including sidewalk chalk, bubbles and hula hoops.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-2182, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.  Live radio coverage of each game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM-1340 “The Game,” 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps.

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

Eight-year-old Pensacola girl embraces Home Run For Life moment

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Before she ever got the go-ahead signal, Scarlett Helm was ready to race around the bases.

Helm, an 8-year-old Pensacola girl, who successfully battled through attention deficit disorder and undiscovered diabetes, was honored for her courage and spirit Saturday in the season’s final “Home Run For Life” celebration during the Blue Wahoos game against the Jackson Generals.

Smiling and eager to embrace the moment, Helm raced around the bases as a sellout crowd cheered and both teams’ lined the baselines to congratulate her.

Her life has changed since February. Back then, her parents noticed she was often exhausted and experiencing frequent, erratic, mood swings. Her appetite decreased. She couldn’t gain weight.

Her parents figured it was part of side effects from the medication she was taking for attention deficit, hyperactive disorder. But as she began to fall into worse symptoms, her parents suspected something more serious was happening.

Her pediatrician conducted a blood test which revealed her blood-sugar levels were almost three times the normal range. She was immediately admitted into the Pediactric Emergency Room at Sacred Heart Hospital. It was then discovered she had Type 1 diabetes.

With treatment, care and her parents help, the diabetes in now under control and Helm is a normal, young girl.

She recently started second grade at the Montessori School of Pensacola. She listed her favorite animal as a sloth on her biography. He favorite movie is Rapunzel.

She is now enjoying gymnastics.

As she showed on Saturday, Helm sped around the bases, her hair waving, her face aglow as she easily touched every base and jumped on home plate, then into the arms of Kazoo, the Blue Wahoos mascot.

It was another special moment provided by the Blue Wahoos and the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart.

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

Home Run for Life: The Story of Lainey Loftus

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  While baseball may be our focus here at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium, the IronBirds take pride in being a part of the Aberdeen community and strive to make an impact that goes beyond the sport itself. On August 18th, the IronBirds recognized fourth-grader Lainey Loftus, whose brave story has inspired us all.

Last November, Lainey began having vision issues, which led her parents to bring her to an Ophthalmologist. It was there that they discovered something was pressing on her optic nerves and causing her loss of vision. After a CAT scan revealed a brain tumor on her optic nerves and Pituitary gland, her family was sent to Oncology at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. The doctor at Johns Hopkins decided the best course of action for Lainey was chemotherapy and radiation. Over the next few months, Lainey had four rounds of chemo and 24 proton radiation treatments. After many long months of fighting, an MRI in May showed that the tumor was gone, and her treatments were over. With her tumor gone, Lainey is gaining strength every day and begins fourth grade in a month.

Lainey enjoys playing softball and is excited to get back onto the field soon now that she is healthy again. She has always been a big Orioles fan and even got the chance to go to a game recently. At last Sunday’s game, Lainey threw out the first pitch before the game. The IronBirds are proud to honor Lainey for her bravery in fighting this terrible disease, and so happy for her and her family now that she is growing stronger every day. No family should have to go through what the Loftus family has gone through in the past year. The IronBirds wish Lainey and her family the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

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

M-Braves Honoring Local Kids Fighting Cancer on Saturday

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All M-Braves players and coaches will wear specialty jerseys with each adorning the name of a child fighting cancer. These jerseys will be auctioned off on the stadium concourse during the game by Gold Glove volunteers via silent auction with proceeds funding custom-designed, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for local children battling cancer.

The children participating are mainly from Batson Children’s Hospital of Mississippi.

“The M-Braves are proud to team up with Mike Martin and Gold Glove Charities on this impactful event,” said Pete Laven, vice president, and general manager for the Mississippi Braves. “We are grateful to Children’s of Mississippi for bringing our organization together with these brave children and their families for an enjoyable night of baseball at Trustmark Park.”

“Gold Glove Charities is excited to partner with both Children’s of Mississippi and the Mississippi Braves,” added Mike Martin, founder of Gold Glove Charities. “Everyone involved has embraced this night to showcase and honor some amazing children who are fighting cancer. We look forward to a long partnership that will continue to provide custom-designed once-in-a-lifetime experiences to local kids who are battling cancer!”

There will be a meet and greet on-field before the game and photo shoot for a Gold Glove calendar with kids and players. The kids will be paired with the player that is wearing their name on the back of their jersey during introductions as they take the field and exit the third base dugout.

At the end of the fourth inning, a “Home Run for Life” will take place in which both teams will line up on each baseline as one child rounds the bases.

The silent jersey auction will conclude at the end of the seventh inning.

Saturday is also Princess Night at Trustmark Park with a pregame Daddy/Daughter Princess Parade and Post-Game Fireworks following the game. Anna and Elsa will be on hand to take pictures with fans. For tickets or more information, visit mississippibraves.com.

Paul Ferguson to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” Friday with OKC Dodgers

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS conclude the 2018 “Home Run For Life” series Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Paul Ferguson, one of two people in the state of Oklahoma and surrounding region living with a Total Artificial Heart.

Ferguson had a history of cardiac issues and already had two mechanical heart valves when he was admitted to INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center in early December 2017 with a failing heart at the age of 65. In order to save his life, doctors took the bold step of removing Ferguson’s natural heart and replacing it with a Total Artificial Heart.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“For the eighth straight year, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS to recognize some amazing Oklahomans who have faced extraordinary adversity with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their perseverance and courage are great examples and we are pleased to have the opportunity to honor their hard work in overcoming these challenges.”

The Total Artificial Heart is the only FDA-approved device of its kind in the world. While traditional heart pumps assist one side of the heart or the other, the Total Artificial Heart replaces both ventricles. Instead of working with a person’s existing heart, the device is a heart substitute and the natural heart is physically removed from the patient.

“Our experience told us that Paul’s heart disease was so bad that a traditional heart pump wouldn’t be enough,” said Doug Horstmanshof, M.D., heart failure cardiologist and co-director of the INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care program. “So, we decided to try something different – completely replacing the heart with the Total Artificial Heart.”

A constant, rhythmic thumping now follows Ferguson wherever he goes. The steady, pulsing sound of forced air stems from a small pump enclosed in a backpack that never leaves his side. That vital piece of equipment and even beat keep his heart pumping – 131 times a minute to be exact.

The Total Artificial Heart is powered by a portable pneumatic drive connected to the patient’s body by tubes. A heart transplant is often the next step for these patients, and the Total Artificial Heart is designed to allow them to wait for a matching donor heart at home rather than staying in the hospital, potentially for months on end.

Ferguson received his Total Artificial Heart in December and started inpatient rehabilitation at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation in January.

“It’s a very humbling experience,” Ferguson said. “It’s a journey.”

He has since returned home to Bethany and is back to enjoying retirement with his family and friends. Ferguson and his wife Kathy have three children and six grandchildren in the Oklahoma City area with whom they share much of their time.

After retirement, the couple purchased lakefront property at Lake Eufaula in eastern Oklahoma. With Ferguson’s Total Artificial Heart, they are still able to visit the lake with their family and enjoy time out on the water riding on their new pontoon boat.

Kathy said her husband has more flexibility than one would expect with his Total Artificial Heart. Charged batteries and electrical outlets need to be within reach wherever they go, but they even have a car charger for the backpack pump to add to his adaptability.

“This goes with me everywhere,” Ferguson said about the backpack. “I just set it down by my chair and I just plug in to the wall.”

Ferguson said he has learned the importance of living every day one day at a time throughout his journey. He is extremely grateful to his wife, family and the staff at INTEGRIS for their tremendous care.

“INTEGRIS is fantastic, and not just because of this,” Ferguson said. “The time I spent up there watching them work with other people, they are truly compassionate and caring people.

“They are very gifted and talented people and they are where they should be.”

Ferguson’s family, children and grandchildren provide his daily motivation. His youngest granddaughter is quickly nearing her second birthday.

“One of my reasons for getting this was my little one,” he said. “I want her to remember me.”

The Dodgers are in the midst of their final homestand of the regular season. They continue a three-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers at 7:05 tonight at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and then at 7:05 p.m. on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 Pepsi products, bottled water and select beer.

The Dodgers’ final home series of the regular season opens against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at 7:05 p.m. Friday to kick off Fan Appreciation Weekend at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The OKC Disc Dogs will perform on the field and fireworks will follow the game, presented by Francis Tuttle.

The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, featuring the Clubhouse Collectibles silent auction presented by The Oklahoman. The final Chaparral Energy Family Sunday takes place at 6:05 p.m. Sunday, before the Dodgers host their final regular-season home game at 7:05 p.m. Monday against Colorado Springs.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-2182, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.

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

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

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

Bentley Renner will celebrate his Anthem Home Run for Life on Wednesday, June 27

Dayton, Ohio – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host five-year-old Bentley Renner during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons 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.

Bentley’s Story

After a premature birth, Bentley Renner had a difficult time swallowing. Doctors diagnosed him with severe dysphagia. They felt his challenges with swallowing were due to his prematurity and would improve with time.

Two months later, a common cold put Bentley back to the hospital. He was admitted for eight weeks and needed life support. While in the PICU, Bentley was unable to swallow, and his motor skills quickly declined. Bentley went through intense feeding therapy and needed a g-tube to digest food.

For the next year and a half, Bentley was in and out of the hospital. At three years of age, Bentley underwent a diagnostics workshop at the Mayo Clinic and visited the National Institute of Health. Bentley and his parents were shocked to learn he had mitochondrial myopathy.

Mitochondrial myopathy is a genetic disease affecting specific parts of the cells in the body. In an affected cell, the mitochondrion cannot produce the energy the body needs. In response, these cells don’t provide enough fuel for the body’s muscles and nerves, creating a setback in development. A disease like this causes several issues like muscle weakness, hearing loss, trouble with balance, and seizures. These common symptoms often make it difficult for doctors to diagnose.

Treatment started immediately for Bentley. He has had several airway surgeries and takes mitochondrial vitamins daily. Since he was born, Bentley has had 19 hospital stays in the ICU. “I am sad when I have to go to the hospital because I really miss my family and friends,” Bentley said. “But I usually get to play games with the doctors and nurses, which is fun!”

Today, Bentley is five-years-old and full of energy. He will be starting kindergarten at Brookville Elementary in the fall. Bentley looks forward to spending time with his family in Florida this summer.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Bentley’s life, including his parents Jerry and Trisha, siblings Ella and Olivia, his pediatrician Dr. Amy Jones, and his entire medical team. Please join us in cheering on Bentley as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on June 27.

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 [email protected], 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.

Emily Rose Hollins to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” Saturday with OKC Dodgers

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS continue the 2018 “Home Run For Life” series Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Emily Rose Hollins, who was born nearly four months premature and spent 156 days in the INTEGRIS Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Hollins was born at 25 weeks and six days on Feb. 8, 2017, weighing a mere 12.7 ounces at birth. After spending more than five months in the NICU after her birth, Hollins left INTEGRIS as the hospital’s smallest surviving baby ever.

Hollins is thriving today thanks to the care she received at INTEGRIS. Her weight was approaching 15 pounds in April and Hollins was on the verge of both talking and walking.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“For the eighth straight year, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS to recognize some amazing Oklahomans who have faced extraordinary adversity with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their perseverance and courage are great examples and we are pleased to have the opportunity to honor their hard work in overcoming these challenges.”

About two years ago, Melanie Hollins didn’t believe she would be able to have children. The now-43-year-old Bethany resident had been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure and end-stage kidney failure – all hereditary traits in her family tree.

Melanie’s kidneys were functioning at just 13 percent and she was going through the approval process to be placed on the kidney transplant list when she and her husband Alex found out she was pregnant with Emily Rose.

“We were both excited and horrified at the same time,” Melanie said. “Here I was dealing with my own major medical problems and asking myself ‘am I even going to be physically capable of carrying this child?'”

She said everything progressed fine with her pregnancy until about six months in when during a scheduled check-up her doctor said Emily Rose was very small and not growing like she needed to be. Melanie’s kidney function also dropped to 11 percent. Then one night in early February, Melanie experienced strong stomach pains and went to the emergency room.

“They told me, she’s coming today,” Melanie recalled. “That freaked me out.”

At 6:22 p.m., Emily Rose was delivered by Cesarean section and entered the world weighing barely more than a can of soda and less than one pound.

Being born so early, Emily Rose’s body was extremely underdeveloped. She was not able to breathe on her own. She couldn’t physically take a bottle until she was three months old. NICU nurses fed her through a tube to keep her alive.

After a five-month stay in the hospital, Emily Rose weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was released as a healthy baby girl.

Melanie is so thankful to the medical staff at INTEGRIS for their faith, tenacity and willingness to help her daughter against the odds.

“They gave her a chance, and them giving her a chance made all the difference in the world,” Melanie said.

Melanie works today to balance maintenance of her own health with caring for Emily Rose and the rest of her family, including 10-year-old daughter Jacari. Melanie is on dialysis and continues to wait on the kidney transplant list. She said Emily Rose constantly gives her strength thanks to her daughter’s vivacity.

“She’s a little firecracker,” Melanie said. “Full of energy.”

To read Hollins’ full story, visit: milb.com/oklahoma-city/tickets/home-run-for-life-emily-rose-hollins.

The Dodgers continue their homestand at 7:05 tonight on a $2 Thursday featuring $2 Pepsi products, bottled water and select beer. Fireworks are slated to follow Friday’s 7:05 p.m. matchup against Salt Lake, presented by Oklahoma Blood Institute.

The Dodgers open a four-game home series against the Las Vegas 51s at 7:05 p.m. Saturday on Marvel Super Hero Night. Fans who come out to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark can meet Iron Man and Thor during the game and watch Hollins complete her “Home Run For Life” following the third inning.

Sunday’s 6:05 p.m. game falls on a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday, featuring pregame player autographs, a mascot meet-and-greet, face painters, inflatables and postgame kids run the bases. Five hundred OERB Player of the Month posters, featuring May winner Joe Broussard, will be available to children ages 12 and under as they exit the ballpark Sunday. The posters will showcase an action shot of Broussard, who was selected as the May winner through a social media poll, as well as informational OERB graphics about well site safety.

The series against Las Vegas continues at 7:05 p.m. Monday and wraps up with an 11:05 a.m. game Tuesday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a Summer Field Trip Day. Camps and day cares are encouraged to come out Tuesday for a summer field trip. An OKC Dodgers game ticket, hat and sack lunch are included for the price of $13 per person for groups of 10 or more.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-2182, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.

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

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

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

Dayton, Ohio – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 12-year-old Gabe Duplechian during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, May 30, 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.

Gabe’s Story

Around Christmas of 2012, Gabe Duplechian came home from school with a sore arm. There was no incident earlier that day that would have caused the constant pain Gabe was feeling, so his parents took him to urgent care. Based on preliminary tests, it was suggested Gabe had a fracture and his arm was placed in a cast to heal.

Unfortunately, this didn’t solve Gabe’s issues. Quickly after having his cast removed, he had similar pain in his other arm and then shortly thereafter his legs. The pain was so excruciating that he was unable to walk and perform daily functions. After months of tests with results seemingly normal, Gabe’s parents were frustrated and took him to the emergency room for some answers.

After many more tests, Gabe and his parents were shocked to learn he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Gabe didn’t have the typical signs of this condition, and it had taken months for the family to get an accurate diagnosis.

ALL is a cancer of the white blood cells characterized by excess lymphoblasts. Malignant, immature white blood cells continuously multiply and are overproduced in the bone marrow. This form of cancer causes damage by crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow, and eventually spreads to other organs.

Treatment started immediately for Gabe. He had a one-week induction with steroids and then started chemotherapy. Gabe went through 30 days of isolation, lost his hair multiple times, had a buildup of ammonia, and experienced liver issues during his treatment.

Today, Gabe is 12-years-old and feels great. His last round of chemotherapy was in June of 2016 and he’s extremely grateful to be in remission. “This experience has taught me to not take things for granted,” Gabe said. “Things could always be worse. And even though I had cancer, cancer didn’t have me.”

Gabe will be in eighth grade at Kettering Middle School next school year. He enjoys english, wrestling, and playing the saxophone.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Gabe’s life, including his parents Jason and Adrienne, his specialist Dr. Dole, and his entire medical team. Please join us in cheering on Gabe as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on May 30.

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 [email protected], 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.

Matthew Mattocks to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” Friday with OKC Dodgers

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS continue the 2018 “Home Run For Life” series Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Matthew Mattocks, who suffered a massive brain stem stroke and a rare neurological disorder called locked-in syndrome at age 29.

Mattocks experienced a cerebral infarction that blocked the supply of blood and oxygen to his brain in July 2016. He survived the massive brain stem stroke, which many people are unable to do, but suffered from locked-in syndrome. He was conscious, but unable to move for nearly a month.

After the care he received at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation, Mattocks continues to push toward his ultimate goal of walking once again.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“For the eighth straight year, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS to recognize some amazing Oklahomans who have faced extraordinary adversity with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their perseverance and courage are great examples and we are pleased to have the opportunity to honor their hard work in overcoming these challenges.”

Mattocks was a talented young musician who played several instruments by ear, loved theatre and performed in several productions and plays. But on July 6, 2016, the body that had provided him with so many talents and gifts, turned into a personal prison.

With locked-in syndrome, “there is complete paralysis of all voluntary muscles except for the ones that control the movements of the eyes,” according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders website. Cognitive function is typically unaffected and individuals with locked-in syndrome are conscious and awake, but are unable to produce movements or to speak, according to the website.

Once he was deemed strong enough, Mattocks moved to INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation for 30 days.

“When Matt first got here, he wasn’t able to do much,” Occupational Therapist Dani Voight said. “His arms were very tight. His legs were very tight. He was kind of just stuck.”

Therapists at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation used Mattocks’ passion for music to build their sessions together.

He used a harmonica to help with his breathing and speech.

“It was neat to really incorporate his love for music into speech and make it something he enjoyed doing,” Speech Therapist Halley Bailey said.

Voight also used music to help in Mattocks’ sessions.

“I saw his guitar and I handed it to him and I said I need you to play this for me,” she said. “I mean, I’m sure it was frustrating for him because it wasn’t the big beautiful pieces that he used to play, but he just lit up.”

Mattocks’ brother David Dobson said his brother was on a clear plan from his first day at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation with a vision for what he was going to go accomplish throughout the month.

“He went from someone who could barely stand up at all, to somebody who stood up with pride,” Dobson said. “He went from somebody who could barely get a word out, to somebody who could say a sentence.

“That’s a lot for somebody who was never supposed to move.”

Mattocks kept fighting and smiling despite his initial bleak prognosis.

“He didn’t just make this miraculous recovery that happened overnight where he got up and walked out of here – that didn’t happen,” Voight said. “But despite all the challenges, he had a smile on his face.”

Now Mattocks continues to push toward his ultimate goal thanks to the care he received at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation.

“I will walk again,” Mattocks said. “Never give up. Never.”

To read Mattocks’ full story, visit okcdodgers.com.

The OKC Dodgers continue their series today against Memphis at 11:05 a.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a Field Trip Day. Tomorrow the Dodgers and Memphis play at 7:05 p.m. on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 Pepsi products, bottled water and select beer.

Watch Mattocks complete his “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Friday’s 7:05 p.m. game against Memphis at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the game, presented by True Sky Credit Union.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-2182, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.

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

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

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

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 [email protected], 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.

Stacie Daniel to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” Saturday with OKC Dodgers

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS open the 2018 “Home Run For Life” series Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Stacie Daniel, who was born with cystic fibrosis and placed on the lung transplant list at age 29.

Cystic fibrosis is a “progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time,” according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website.

Daniel’s lungs were functioning at just 30 percent capacity by the time she was 25 years old. After nine months of waiting on the transplant list, Daniel received a double lung transplant in August 2017 at Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center.

The avid hunter is now back to enjoying the sport – and the time outdoors – that she loves.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“For the eighth straight year, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS to recognize some amazing Oklahomans who have faced extraordinary adversity with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their perseverance and courage are great examples and we are pleased to have the opportunity to honor their hard work in overcoming these challenges.”

Daniel loves hunting, water sports, fossil hunting and traveling – basically anything that allows her to be outdoors and surrounded by nature. But cystic fibrosis threatened her passion – and her life. She was born with the disease that leads to lung damage and respiratory failure and also prevents the body from releasing digestive enzymes that break down food to absorb vital nutrients, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website.

“I remember my mom being in tears when I was diagnosed at six years old,” Daniel said. “They told her to love me while she could and pretty much wrap me in a bubble because the life expectancy at that time for someone with CF was 10 to 12 years.”

As a child, Daniel’s issues were mainly digestive. She didn’t start experiencing lung problems until she was a teenager. That’s when her disease started to progress and her lungs were struggling to function. She would experience coughing fits that could last 45 minutes to an hour.

After nine months on the transplant list, she received a double lung transplant at Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center.

Daniel, 31, is now back to enjoying the outdoors and living life.

“Stacie is an ideal patient – compliant and full of drive and dreams,” Mark Rolfe, M.D., said. “She is the kind of patient that every transplant pulmonologist loves because she is so easy to take care of and takes advantage of the transplant to live life to its fullest.”

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website, significant progress has been made in treating the disease, but there is still no cure.

“I will always have CF and the sinus and digestive issues that go along with it,” she said. “But the disease cannot get into my new lungs and it’s the respiratory issues that are the most fatal. So, my prognosis is great and because of my donor and the generosity of his or her family, I truly have been given a second chance at life.”

To read Daniel’s full story, click here.

To make a donation to help cover Daniel’s medical expenses, click here.

The OKC Dodgers continue their first homestand of the season with Opening Weekend events starting at 7:05 p.m. against the Round Rock Express at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 Pepsi products and select beer.

The Dodgers then open a four-game home series against New Orleans at 7:05 p.m. Friday, with several special commemorative pregame events scheduled with the Oklahoma City Police Department and fireworks, presented by True Sky Credit Union, to follow the game.

Watch Stacie Daniel complete her “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game against New Orleans at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The series against New Orleans continues with a 2:05 p.m. game Sunday on a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday, featuring pregame player autographs, face painters, inflatables, a mascot meet-and-greet and postgame kids run the bases. The OKC Dodgers will hold a special ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson as part of Jackie Robinson Day and new Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

The homestand then wraps up with a 7:05 p.m. game Monday.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-2182, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.

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

Lindsay Dennis to Celebrate Home Run For Life Saturday with OKC Dodgers

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS conclude the 2017 “Home Run for Life” series Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Lindsay Dennis, who sustained severe head and spinal cord injuries in a May 2016 car accident.

Dennis broke vertebrae at the top of her neck – an injury many people are unable to survive – and also suffered broken vertebrae in her middle back, fractured her ribs, endured swelling on her brain and experienced paralysis in her lower body.

She returned to teaching this month, about 15 months after her accident. Dennis currently relies on a wheelchair for mobility, but took her first steps after the accident this spring and continues her recovery thanks to the care she receives at Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“We are proud to continue the Home Run For Life Series this season and honor some remarkable individuals in our community who have battled exceptional challenges with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their resolve and courage offer great inspiration for us all and we are pleased to join with INTEGRIS to recognize their triumphs.”

Lindsay Dennis and her family were traveling from Moore to Shawnee in celebration after the last day of the school year in May 2016.

Dennis had recently accepted a teaching position in Shawnee and wanted to purchase a T-shirt from her new school and show her family where she would be working the following school year.

But her family of four never made it to Shawnee that day. The Dennis family minivan was stopped in traffic on the interstate when they were rear-ended by another vehicle traveling approximately 70 miles per hour.

The accident sent Dennis, her husband Daniel and their two young sons Parker and Noah to the hospital. Dennis remained in the hospital from May 20 until early June. The first time she regained consciousness after the accident was June 3. She awoke in a brace that enveloped her body in rigid plastic from her head to her waist and she learned her lower body was paralyzed.

She had to relearn how to do everything from sitting up to getting dressed. She also had to learn how to swallow, eat and drink once again.

When Dennis arrived at Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center in June 2016, she was wearing the immobilizing brace over the top half of her body, had a tube in her stomach, faint voice and was completely dependent on others for her care.

“Being at Jim Thorpe they had so many resources and so many people that all you had to do was ask,” Dennis said. “I think they’ve seen just about everything. They really made it seem not so overwhelming because you could get lost in all of the feelings that you have to go through to get through something like this. They make it manageable.”

She stayed at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation as an inpatient through July 2016 and has since returned on a regular basis as an outpatient. The first time she took a step after her accident was in March 2017.

“I try not to let it get to me so much, but it was the first time ever at the end of therapy that I broke down in tears – and they were happy tears,” she said. “When all of this happened, you think it’s not going to be a possibility, and then it was a good possibility.”

Her focus recently has been on resuming her career and working full time as a high school English and journalism teacher – something she has been looking forward to for more than a year. She returned to the classroom earlier this month.

“It has been an interesting journey to say the least,” Dennis said. “You learn to appreciate a lot of small things that you really take for granted in the long run. You can focus all on the negative and all on the bad, but we’ve had a lot of blessings and a lot of amazing people and opportunities like this, that it makes you see the good in people.”

To read Dennis’ full story, visit okcdodgers.com.

The Dodgers open their final homestand of the 2017 regular season tonight at 7:05 p.m. against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a $2 Thursday featuring $2 soda, water and beer from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products. The series against Omaha continues at 7:05 p.m. Friday with Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night presented by RSM and Folds of Honor. Fireworks presented by Francis Tuttle are scheduled to follow the game.

Watch Lindsay Dennis complete her “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game against Omaha. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first 1,000 fans will receive a Cody Bellinger T-shirt. The OKC Disc Dogs will also perform and fans will have the opportunity to bid on game-used, game-worn autographed OKC Dodgers memorabilia during the Clubhouse Collectibles silent auction presented by The Oklahoman. Sunday’s 6:05 p.m. game against Omaha falls on a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday.

The homestand then continues with a four-game series against the New Orleans Baby Cakes beginning at 7:05 p.m. Monday. The regular season concludes at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31 against New Orleans on a $2 Thursday and special Throwback Thursday. Oklahoma City will take the field in Oklahoma City 89ers gear and the players’ and coaches’ jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation.

A very limited number of tickets remain for Friday and Saturday nights, but tickets for all of the other remaining home games of the regular season are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-1000, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.

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

ACES TO HOST FAYE ELLIOT IN SAINT MARY’S “HOME RUN FOR LIFE” CEREMONY

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces will host Saint Mary’s “Home Run for Life” ceremony for Faye Elliot, who was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the third leading cause of death in the United States. The ceremony will occur on Friday, August 18 when the Aces take on the Sacramento River Cats at 7:05 p.m. at Greater Nevada Field.

After days of finding it difficult to breathe, Elliott was admitted into Saint Mary’s when it was discovered she had pneumonia followed by a diagnosis of COPD, a chronic disease that causes constriction of the airways. Weeks later, Elliot suffered a heart attack and her Saint Mary’s Cardiology providers inserted a stent to aid in healing.

Though there is no cure for the chronic illness, Elliot wants everyone to know that though the diagnosis has made her life different, life has not stopped; rather, it has shifted gears. She has quit smoking, and now practices yoga, a positive attitude, and breathing techniques to try to not be limited by the need of her oxygen tank.

Elliot explained, “You are only limited by what you decide you are going to do. It takes work and determination but it pays off in the end. I improve every day and I won’t stop at just a little improvement; I will keep working at being the best I can be.”

Since 2014, the Aces and Saint Mary’s have been partnered to showcase the “Home Run for Life” program. Once a month, a brave individual in the Northern Nevada community is honored by taking a ceremonial trip around the bases with each team lining the baselines. The ceremony tells the story of a battle against adversity. Individuals honored have overcome or are fighting a significant medical event in their life with the help of Saint Mary’s personnel.

Elliot will round the bases commemorating her “Home Run for Life” in the middle of the second inning Friday night. The Aces and River Cats players and staff will be lined up along each baseline to greet Elliot as she makes her way toward home plate while her story of adversity and triumph is publicly announced to the stadium crowd.

Greater Nevada Field gates open at 6:05 p.m. on Friday, August 18. Tickets are on-sale now at www.renoaces.com or by calling (775) 334-4700. Follow the club all season long on Twitter (@Aces) or like the team on Facebook.

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

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

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 [email protected], 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.

Brian Elliot Jr. to Celebrate His Anthem Home Runs for Life on August 2

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 13-year old Brian Elliot Jr. during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons 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.

Brian’s Story

From the moment Brian was born, he had difficulties digesting formula. His pediatrician was concerned he wasn’t getting the appropriate nutrition he needed to thrive. The hospital ran some routine tests and quickly diagnosed Brian 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, among other things.

When Brian was younger, he was in the hospital for severe complications a few times. Four years ago, Brian had a surgical procedure to provide him with a feeding tube that helps his digestive issues. Since then, he has done well gaining weight and receiving adequate nutrition. In addition, Brian has a daily routine that includes breathing treatments and a special vest he wears that vibrates to assist in breaking up any thick mucus in his lungs.

Brian has a form of cystic fibrosis that allows him to participate in many of the activities he loves. He loves gym class at school and playing baseball like his favorite team, the Cincinnati Reds. From the outside, you would never know that Brian has breathing and digestive challenges.

Brian is now 13 years old and will be in eighth grade at Urbana Junior High in the fall. He doesn’t allow cystic fibrosis to keep him down. “It’s scary sometimes, but I never give up and keep fighting. It doesn’t hold me back,” Brian said. One day, Brian would like to be a police officer so he can help better his community.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Brian’s life, including his parents Kenny and Melissa, siblings Dylan and Madalene, Dr. Wolf, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on Brian as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on August 2.dayton dragons

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 [email protected], 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.