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

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Dragons present an Anthem Home Run for Life
Bentley Renner will celebrate his Anthem Home Run for Life on Wednesday, June 27
Dayton, Ohio - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host five-year-old Bentley Renner during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons 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.
Bentley's Story
After a premature birth, Bentley Renner had a difficult time swallowing. Doctors diagnosed him with severe dysphagia. They felt his challenges with swallowing were due to his prematurity and would improve with time.
Two months later, a common cold put Bentley back to the hospital. He was admitted for eight weeks and needed life support. While in the PICU, Bentley was unable to swallow, and his motor skills quickly declined. Bentley went through intense feeding therapy and needed a g-tube to digest food.
For the next year and a half, Bentley was in and out of the hospital. At three years of age, Bentley underwent a diagnostics workshop at the Mayo Clinic and visited the National Institute of Health. Bentley and his parents were shocked to learn he had mitochondrial myopathy. 
Mitochondrial myopathy is a genetic disease affecting specific parts of the cells in the body. In an affected cell, the mitochondrion cannot produce the energy the body needs. In response, these cells don't provide enough fuel for the body's muscles and nerves, creating a setback in development. A disease like this causes several issues like muscle weakness, hearing loss, trouble with balance, and seizures. These common symptoms often make it difficult for doctors to diagnose.

Treatment started immediately for Bentley. He has had several airway surgeries and takes mitochondrial vitamins daily. Since he was born, Bentley has had 19 hospital stays in the ICU. "I am sad when I have to go to the hospital because I really miss my family and friends," Bentley said. "But I usually get to play games with the doctors and nurses, which is fun!"
Today, Bentley is five-years-old and full of energy. He will be starting kindergarten at Brookville Elementary in the fall. Bentley looks forward to spending time with his family in Florida this summer.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Bentley's life, including his parents Jerry and Trisha, siblings Ella and Olivia, his pediatrician Dr. Amy Jones, and his entire medical team. Please join us in cheering on Bentley as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on June 27.
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.