NASHVILLE, Tenn. – City of Hope joined Music Row to strike out cancer at the 28th Annual Celebrity Softball Game today at First Tennessee Park, home of the Nashville Sounds. In a friendly competition for a great cause, Team Grand Ole Opry defeated Team iHeart 6-5 in extra innings.
Big Machine Artist and Season 15 Winner of American Idol, Trent Harmon kicked off the event by singing the National Anthem. BBR Music Group duo Walker McGuire led with the traditional coin toss. Team Captains were Bobby Bones for iHeart Media, and Bill Cody and Brian Lambert for Grand Ole Opry.
Guest announcers Naomi Judd, Jeannie Seely, Tim Rushlow, and Charlie Monk joined by iHeart Media radio personality and Master of Ceremonies, Gator Harrison called the play by play.
Additional talent in attendance were: Adam Craig, Adam Doleac, Brandi Cyrus, Brett Kissel, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Charles Esten, Drew and Jonathan Scott of HGTV’s The Property Brothers, Eddie Garcia and Ray Slater of The Bobby Bones Show, Gabby Barrett, Jackie Lee, Jay Cutler, Jennifer Fiedler, Lauren Alaina, Liz Rose, Lucas Hoge, Maddie Poppe, Marc Mariani, Megan Alexander, Seth Ennis, Shawn Parr, Tegan Marie, Trey Smith, and Uncle Si & the Si-Cotics, which includes Si Robertson, Marsha Robertson and Bridgette Tatum.
Office Depot was the supporting sponsor of the game.
City of Hope patient and acute myeloid leukemia survivor, Brian Lambert met his life-saving donor for the first time. The traditional “meeting at the mound” hit a little closer to home than usual for Nashvillians as Lambert is a well-known executive of the Warner Music family and a long-time City of Hope volunteer through its Music, Film & Entertainment Industry group which has raised more than $118 million for City of Hope over the years.
The Music, Film & Entertainment Industry group, founded in 1973, consists of over 150+ music and entertainment executives who dedicate their efforts and time to achieve an annual fundraising goal in support of City of Hope.
Nearly 50 fans signed up as potential bone marrow donors with Be the Match at City of Hope.
For more information, visit cityofhope.org/softball or follow City of Hope on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT CITY OF HOPE:
City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution.
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