Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio and Dragons present an Anthem Home Run for Life

Dayton, Ohio-Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host nine-year-old William McCoy during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, June 12, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps 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.
William's Story
When William McCoy III's mom, Donna, tested positive for sickle cell trait, she and her husband, William, were in disbelief. Not only had she lived her entire life not knowing, but she was pregnant with a little baby boy. Because of this new information, their child would have a one in four chance of not just carrying the trait, but living a life affected by sickle cell.
When their son William III was born, their worst fears were confirmed. After the newborn screenings showed positive signs for the sickle cell gene, their needs for medical care increased drastically. Donna and William II were currently living in Wyoming but had to drive two hours to the nearest pediatric hospital. The frustrations of not having immediate care for their son led to the decision of relocating to Ohio. William II's family was in the area and the opportunities for their son were limitless.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder in which red blood cells (which are normally round and flexible) are sticky, hard, and shaped like crescent moons. Because of sickle cell, William's immune system cannot handle as much as a normal person. He has to make every effort to stay healthy because the even slightest fever can land him in a life-threatening position.
Educating the community is a very important aspect when battling sickle cell. Because it is not a visual impairment, a person may look very healthy to the average eye. But in fact, that seemingly healthy person could be fighting a disease like sickle cell. The McCoy's arrange doctor visits for his classrooms each year, so his teacher and classmates become educated in the severity of this illness.
Today, William is a creative and ambitious nine-year-old in the third grade at Pathway School of Discovery. This future comic book writer aims at bringing joy to readers and believes that sickle cell is "is a part of everyone's lives, but it should not stop you from fulfilling your dreams."
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in William's lives, including his parents Donna and William II and specialist Dr. Dole. Please join us in cheering him on as he completes his Anthem Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on June 12.
More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com.