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PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Rex McGee Celebrates Home Run For Life

August 16, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City RedHawks and INTEGRIS Health are proud to continue the "Home Run for Life" series Saturday, Aug. 17. The RedHawks and INTEGRIS will honor Rex McGee, a retired Midwest City firefighter, who underwent life-saving open heart surgery at INTEGRIS Heart Hospital at Baptist Medical Center.

"Home Run for Life" recognizes people in the Oklahoma City community who, with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals, have overcome a significant medical event in their life. Honorees are recognized during the game and get to take a home run "lap" around the bases, symbolizing the end of a battle against adversity.

"We are very proud to partner with INTEGRIS Health and continue the ‘Home Run for Life' series," RedHawks President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. "It gives us a chance to highlight some special people who have summoned a lot of courage and strength to get where they are today."

Rex was the epitome of a firefighter at age 53 - strong, brave, athletic and healthy. He would run the Midwest City Fire Department's stairs 10 times a day to train for an upcoming Colorado ski trip in the midst of his daily station duties.

While studying for a promotion in the fire department in April 2012, Rex volunteered for a firefighter cardiac screening study, offered by INTEGRIS Heart Hospital. The research study was investigating Sudden Cardiac Death in firefighters over age 40. Following two CT scans as part of the study, Rex learned he had significant cardiovascular disease and was urged to see a cardiologist, where he learned he had 100 percent blockage in his right coronary artery and 90 percent blockage in his left anterior coronary artery, in addition to two other areas with blockage. Rex was immediately admitted to the hospital and underwent successful quadruple bypass surgery the next morning.

Rex was released from the hospital just three days later and credits the INTEGRIS Heart Hospital research study with saving his life. Rex has since retired after working 29 years as a firefighter. He enjoys playing golf whenever he gets the chance, as well as riding motorcycles and traveling.

Come see Rex, Dr. Craig Elkins, Dr. George Chrysant and all those who have been instrumental in his recovery at INTEGRIS Heart Hospital during "Home Run for Life" following the third inning of the RedHawks game Saturday night against the Albuquerque Isotopes. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Interview requests for Rex or RedHawks personnel can be made through the RedHawks' media department. Tickets for Saturday's game are available through the RedHawks ticket office at (405) 218-1000 or by visiting okcredhawks.com.

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