Patient Derek Beck will be the first to be honored on Sunday June 7, 2015
Portland, Maine - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine, the Maine Children's Cancer Program Strike Out Cancer in Kids, and the Portland Sea Dogs have teamed up to honor four Maine children who are true heroes for bravely battling cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder.
"Anthem's Heroes At Hadlock" program provides children in Maine a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they battle serious medical conditions. Each honoree gets to take a celebratory home run lap around the bases of Hadlock Field during a Sea Dogs home game while the crowd provides a standing ovation.They'll also receive Sea Dogs souvenirs, an engraved baseball bat and acknowledgement by the Sea Dogs announcer, among other VIP privileges. The first "Anthem's Heroes At Hadlock" will honor Derek Beck from Westbrook and will be held on Sunday June 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM before the Sea Dogs take on the Bowie Baysox.
"MCCP is grateful that Anthem has chosen to honor several of our patients for their bravery in this exciting way," said Tara Studely, Development Manager, Maine Children's Cancer Program. "We're also thrilled that Anthem is calling attention to TD Bank Strike Out Cancer in Kids, a fundraising program that that has helped support MCCP for 20 years - and, as a result, has helped hundreds of local children fighting cancer and blood disorders."
"The Sea Dogs are thrilled to team with Anthem and the Maine Children's Cancer Program to provide
a wonderful recognition to Derek and his family as well as to spotlight the great work MCCP is doing for our community," said Geoffrey Iacuessa the Sea Dogs Executive Vice President and General Manager.
"We are so pleased to work with the Maine Children's Cancer Program and the Portland Sea Dogs to honor four children who are truly an inspiration for all of us," said Bill Whitmore, RVP Sales, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine. "The Strike Out Cancer in Kids program has made a tremendous impact in our communities through the support it gives to heroic patients across the state of Maine."
Derek's Story
In 2014, Derek Beck, a 7 ½-year-old from Westbrook, was having severe vision problems. After many visits to the eye doctor and an MRI, doctors found that Derek had a condition called optic nerve atrophy. Optic nerve atrophy is caused by a brain tumor pressing on the optic nerve.
After getting the diagnosis, Derek and his parents met with Dr. Stanley Chaleff of the Maine Children's Cancer Program to talk about Derek's treatment plan. Derek's mother, Maxine, will always remember how kind and caring Dr. Chaleff and the staff at MCCP were. The Becks formed a close relationship with the caregivers at MCCP and think of them as part of their family. Derek still has MRI scans every three months and his caregivers are pleased with his progress. They are hopeful his treatment will be done at the end of the summer!
Derek is such an inspiration, he's been chosen as the 2015 TD Bank Strike Out Cancer in Kids' Slugger's Kid. Derek will serve as ambassador for the MCCP, representing its great work at various Strike Out Cancer in Kids events throughout the 2015 season.
TD Bank Strike Out Cancer in Kids (SOCK) is a fundraising campaign to support the Maine Children's Cancer Program, provider of comprehensive care to children with cancer and blood disorders in Maine and beyond. To learn more about SOCK, visit mmc.org/strikeout.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.
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