The FINANCIAL -- CSL Behring announced on October 29 the national winners of the 8th annual Gettin’ in the GameSM Junior National Championship (JNC).
Developed by CSL Behring, provider of the hemophilia treatment Helixate FS (Antihemophilic Factor, Recombinant), the JNC is a series of one-day events held throughout the country that provide hundreds of children with bleeding disorders the opportunity to participate in a golf and baseball competition.
As part of the JNC, two accomplished athletes who have been diagnosed with hemophilia A, professional golfer Perry Parker and competitive baseball player Jesse Schrader, teach the kids the fundamentals of each sport as they provide guidance, advice and support for remaining active while managing their condition. The event also brings families raising children with bleeding disorders together to share personal experiences while allowing them to connect with other members of the community.
The golf and baseball competitors with the lowest/highest score from the series of one-day events, along with a raffle winner, were the overall champions. The winners, honored by CSL Behring at the National Hemophilia Foundation’s 61st annual meeting in San Francisco, are:
Vohn Dumdumaya of Fairfield, Calif. is a three-time Junior National Champion in golf. The 17-year-old shot a 38 for 9 holes during CSL Behring’s Sacramento competition. He is an avid golfer and hopes to attend Sacramento State University on an athletic scholarship.
Stephen Hampel of Glenolden, Pa. is the Junior National Co-Champion in baseball. He was tied for the overall highest score, which he achieved during CSL Behring’s Philadelphia area competition. While 2009 was the first year in which Stephen, 13, participated in the JNC, he is a veteran second baseman and outfielder for two teams in his hometown. Diagnosed with severe hemophilia at birth, Stephen successfully manages his condition while also enjoying soccer, swimming and basketball.
Kurtis Pruitt of Citrus Heights, Calif. is also the Junior National Co-Champion in baseball. According to his parents, Kurtis “eats, sleeps and breathes” baseball and at home competes as part of the Hard 90 Academy. Diagnosed with von Willebrand Disease (VWD) when he was born, Kurtis, 13, already has aspirations of playing in the College World Series as a student at his dream school, the University of North Carolina.
China Harbaugh of West Lehi, Utah is the National Raffle Champion. Active in soccer, where she plays goalie, China has recently taken up golf. In addition to winning the national raffle for event participants, she placed third during the golf competition of the JNC held in Salt Lake City. By managing her VWD and being active in athletics, she sets an example for her two younger sisters who also have VWD and play sports.
"CSL Behring would like to congratulate these national champions on their athletic achievements," said Garrett E. Bergman, M.D. Senior Director of Medical Affairs, U.S. Commercial Operations at CSL Behring. "The Junior National Championship is another example of our commitment to the bleeding disorders community. In addition to providing opportunities for families to connect with one another, programs such as the JNC help promote activities that help people with hemophilia A and other bleeding disorders keep their muscles healthy and joints strong."
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