From OHC
August 3, 2018
OHC (Oncology Hematology Care) is partnering with the David Benzer Strike Out Fear Foundation and the Cincinnati Reds to help local cancer patients reduce their fear and anxiety as they face cancer.
David Benzer was a long-time member of the television crew that broadcasted Giants games on TV. You would regularly find him operating the large, field-level television camera on the home plate side of the visitors’ dugout. The pinnacle of his career was the fall of 2010: the Giant’s first World Series championship in more than 40 years. Then, just 24 hours after the Giants victory parade that year, David felt ill and visited his doctor. With just a single look down his throat, a diagnosis was made. David had State IV cancer: throat, tongue, and lymph nodes.
“What followed were months of chemotherapy and radiation. It was absolutely brutal,” David said. “At my lowest point, I made a promise to God: If you give me a second chance I’ll make a difference.”
He did and David is living up to his end of the bargain. In 2011, he started the Strike Out Fear Foundation. The main focus of the non-profit is to remodel healthcare facility waiting areas by adding large screen TVs, DVD players, and music systems. David’s goal is to create comfortable spaces where patients can relax and let go of some of the fear they carry with them. The foundation’s work has since touched the lives of close to 50,000 cancer patients and more than 400,000 patient visits. David is happy to be visiting those places now, not as someone looking for help, but as someone giving it.
“We are honored to be working with David and his foundation to help our cancer patients,” said Karyn M. Dyehouse, MD, Chief Medical Officer with OHC. “A lot of patients experience fear and anxiety throughout their cancer journey, and kind gestures like David’s foundation providing music or television can help patients take their mind off their condition, especially when they are receiving treatment.”
The Reds event offers two exclusive ticket packages: $16 View Level Seat or $40 Field Box Seat (plus a service fee of $1.50.). And, as usual for a Friday night game, there will be a fireworks show set to the music of the Grateful Dead afterward. (For 15 or more tickets, there will be a single service charge of $15. Please contact Drew Whitaker to arrange at 513-765-7125.)
This event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at https://groupmatics.events/Strikeoutfear. Complete details can be found at ohcare.com.
OHC has been fighting cancer on the front lines for more than three decades. We are the region’s leading experts in the treatment of nearly every form of adult cancer and complex blood disorder. OHC offers the latest medical, gynecologic and radiation therapy, and is always seeking better treatment options through participation in clinical trials. OHC is certified by the American Society for Clinical Oncology in the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program, is the only accredited Oncology Medical Home in Cincinnati and is one of only 196 cancer practices nationally to be accepted into the Medicare Oncology Initiative. At its heart, our approach to cancer care is simple – to surround you with everything you need so you can focus on what matters most: beating cancer. For more information, call 1-888-649-4800 or visit ohcare.com.
