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Dayton Dragons

Dragons and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Team Up for "Home Run for Life" Tomorrow

July 16, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, Ohio - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host seven-year-old TJ Petrovic during the unique "Home Run for Life" program tomorrow when the Dayton Dragons take on the Beloit Snappers at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they battle serious medical conditions. Each honoree gets to take a symbolic home run lap around the bases of Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd provides a standing ovation.

TJ's Story

When TJ was just two years old, his parents, Angie and Tom, noticed he was urinating more than normal and was always thirsty. When TJ was at his babysitter's house and drank nearly a half gallon of milk before they picked him up one afternoon, TJ's parents feared something was wrong.

TJ's pediatrician ran some tests and recommended his parents take him to Dayton Children's Hospital. There, TJ was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin needed to survive, so the missing insulin needs to be replaced through injections. At first, this was overwhelming for his parents and family. TJ's parents and caregivers had to learn how to give injections, count carbohydrates and monitor his blood sugar.

Although Type 1 Diabetes in children requires consistent care, advances in blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery have improved the daily management of this condition for TJ and other children like him.

TJ and his family continue to monitor his condition and make adjustments necessary in his care. When TJ gets sick, he must visit the hospital to get IV fluids, but usually this happens only about one time a year.

Recently TJ was also diagnosed with epilepsy. His family is working with doctors to determine the best treatment for this new diagnosis.

TJ is now seven years old and a first grader at Holy Angels. He wears a small insulin pump and can practically monitor his blood sugar himself. Counting carbohydrates has made him an expert at reading nutrition labels on food packaging and helps his math skills. TJ loves gym class and his favorite sports team is the Browns. "I play football, baseball, soccer and basketball, and I'd like to work in sports some day," TJ said.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in TJ's life, including his parents Angie and Tom, Dr. Moira Pfeifer, Dr. Mickey Denen, his primary care nurse Andrea Watts and the entire medical team at Children's Medical Center. Please join us in cheering on TJ as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on July 17.

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