MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Dragons Present An Anthem Home Run for Life

Published on July 9, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Luke Bemus and the Dayton Dragons
Luke Bemus and the Dayton Dragons
(Dayton Dragons)

Dayton, Ohio - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 14-year-old Luke Bemus during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Quad Cities River Bandits 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.

Luke's Story

When Luke Bemus was born, he was a very tiny baby who had a soy and milk intolerance and was diagnosed as failing to thrive. However, he never had any respiratory issues beyond seasonal allergies.

In the fall of 2010, at the age of seven, Luke became ill with bronchitis that progressed into pneumonia. After getting better, his cough and wheezing wouldn't go away. Following screening tests to rule out various conditions, Luke tested positive for 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 makes it difficult to breath, among other things.

Following his CF diagnosis, Luke was immediately hospitalized for two weeks. It was a challenging diagnosis and even with nutritional intervention, Luke still struggled with gaining weight. In June of 2011, he found out he had celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. Having this information made all the difference in Luke's journey. With an adjusted diet strategy, he started gaining weight and thriving.

Luke was also diagnosed with portal hypertension liver disease in 2011, which contributed to internal bleeding issues and required subsequent hospital admissions.

In the fall of 2014, Luke contracted a non-tuberculosis mycobacteria abscessus, which led to intensive antibiotic regiment and eventually a partial lung removal in July 2015 in efforts to eradicate the infection. The battle continues to this day to suppress this infection.

To date, Luke has been hospitalized on 35 occasions. He is now 14 years old and will be attending Sidney High School in the fall. He has routine maintenance which includes taking 50 pills a day and percussion treatments three times a day for his cystic fibrosis.

Despite these medical challenges, Luke doesn't allow his situation to keep him down. "It gets easier as you get used to the process...It starts to become a routine," Luke said. "Being upset won't change anything. Prayer and staying positive makes all the difference!"

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Luke's life, including his parents Dave and Tammy, his siblings Tyler, Zach, and Nathan, his specialist Dr. Mueller, and his entire medical team. Please join us in cheering on Luke as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on July 11.

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Luke Bemus
Luke Bemus
 Luke Bemus and the Dayton Dragons
Luke Bemus and the Dayton Dragons
  



Midwest League Stories from July 9, 2018


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