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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

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

July 26, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host eight-year-old Bailey Stager during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, July 31, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods 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.

Bailey's Story

October 26, 2011, was an unforgettable day in the Stager house. Chris, Bailey's father, witnessed Bailey experience her first seizure. Fearful for their daughter's life, Chris and Bailey's mom, Kristy, immediately drove to the closest medical center in Troy.

Bailey was admitted with a fever of 107.1 degrees. Doctors proceeded with a spinal tap but soon requested Bailey be transferred to a hospital that could provide primary care. Before the one-year-old even left the medical center, Bailey closed her eyes and slipped into a coma that lasted several days. After arriving at the hospital, the Stagers were moved into a trauma room. Nearly 20 different doctors and nurses rushed to take care of baby Bailey, puzzled by her condition.

Six days into Bailey's coma, doctors found the virus HHV6- Human Herpes Virus 6. They believed this virus kickstarted Bailey's seizure causing brain damage. This process resulted in the diagnosis of Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy of Childhood (ANEC).

ANEC is an incredibly rare and rapidly progressive brain damaging disease that affects infants and children. The disease is relatively new with a poor prognosis of high mortality rates and severe neurological damage.

Seven days after Bailey went into her coma, she awoke surrounded by her family, friends and caretakers. As days and weeks past, Bailey became more self-sufficient. She is an anomaly- with only seven cases reported in the United States at the time, Bailey was the first surviving child to endure this journey.

For the past eight years, Bailey has attended physical, occupational and speech therapies trying to fine tune her motor skills. She has seen major improvements in her movement and comprehension abilities. Today, she is headed into the third grade at Cookson Elementary.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Bailey's life, including her parents Kristy and Chris, her brother JD, Dr. Lacey and her entire medial team. Please join us in cheering on Bailey as she completes her Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on July 31.

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