MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragons to Celebrate Home Run for Life on Wednesday

Published on August 2, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


DAYTON, OH -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 17-year-old Kyle Chown during the unique "Home Run for Life" program on Wednesday, August 3, at 7 pm when the Dayton Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Field.

The "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. Every honoree has received excellent medical attention from their support team, including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance.

KYLE'S STORY

Kyle Chown, a 17-year-old junior at Springboro High School, is used to long days. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during football season he attends marching band practice for three hours. Kyle plays the trumpet.

Kyle didn't realize how many long days were ahead of him, though, when he went to the doctor after having some physical discomfort during finals week in the 8th grade. That's when his doctor found a cancerous tumor the size of a softball.

He spent the next several days going through chemotherapy and radiation every other week. Thankfully, the tumor shrunk to the size of a pea and then disappeared; Kyle went into remission.

Kyle joined marching band the summer before his sophomore year and was hooked. However, band wasn't his only passion. He also excelled at his coursework and earned the rank of fifth in his class. Although Kyle was finding comfort in school, his battle with cancer was unfortunately not over.

In the spring of 2010, tumors were discovered between Kyle's lung and ribs and on his lymph nodes. Once doctors realized this, Kyle was quickly started back on chemotherapy and radiation.

These days, Kyle goes through chemotherapy once a month and can't wait for his senior year. With marching band practice three days a week, Friday football games, and competitions on the weekends, Monday is his only day off. "It's probably the hardest thing I've done besides fight cancer," Kyle said.

"I have to memorize all of the music for the season, and on top of that learn all of the formations. As difficult as it is, it's a lot of fun, and I really enjoy it," Kyle said.

On Wednesday night, Kyle will be joined at Fifth Third Field by his parents, Terry and Pamela Chown.

During an inning break, Kyle will take a ceremonial lap around the bases, which will signify his "Home Run for Life". When he rounds third base, the Dragons players will be lined up to greet him as he makes his way towards the plate. As Kyle crosses home, Dragons manager Delino DeShields will present him with a certificate making him an honorary Dayton Dragon. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Regional Sales Director Jane Peterson will present him with an engraved baseball cap.

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Midwest League Stories from August 2, 2011


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