CSL Behring’s 8th Annual Junior National Championship program stormed through four more cities this year, and every child who attended these Gettin’ in the Game Junior National Championship (JNC) events was truly a winner. We were highly impressed and charmed by the youths we met, and we think they enjoyed and learned and a lot from their participation in their local event. Our two Gettin’ In the Game athletes, golfer Perry Parker and baseball pitcher Jesse Schrader, remarked on the high caliber of youths who came through this year’s (but to be fair, they do so every year).

And as is our tradition, we kept score at the events and crowned champions in baseball and golf, as well as holding a raffle to pick a random third champion from among the raffle winners at the regional events. So everyone had a chance to win.

Now we are thrilled to announce our three Junior National Champions…but what’s this? FOUR national champions? Read on to see how four of our Junior National Championship participants came to win a trip to the NHF Annual Meeting in San Francisco for themselves and two accompanying adults as special guests of CSL Behring.

National Winners

Baseball

A JNC FIRST: A TIE AT THE TOP FOR NATIONAL BASEBALL CHAMPION (EACH WITH 29 POINTS)

National Baseball Co-Champion, Philadelphia:
Stephen Hampel - 12 years old

Stephen is 12 years old and plays outfield and second base for two local teams. A happy-go-lucky guy, Stephen loves the Philadelphia Phillies, proud to be the National (League) champions themselves, and Raul Ibanez is his favorite player. Much to Stephen's embarrassment, his father was quick to tell us that Stephen loves to sing. Nothing to be embarrassed about, Stephen. There’s no rule saying you can’t succeed in both sports and the arts! Congratulations!

Left to right: Perry Parker, Stephen Hampel, Jesse Schrader

2009 Junior National Champion Kurtis Pruitt, National Co-Champion Baseball

National Baseball Co-Champion, Sacramento:
Kurtis Pruitt- 13 years old

Kurtis was a late arrival to our event in Sacramento because his baseball team had a game that morning. Kurtis is always happy to play ball, and was equally glad he made the effort to come to our event. But the dedication Kurtis has shown to baseball since beginning to play the game at age 5, has not prevented him from achieving academic success. Congratulations to a straight-A student and good ballplayer; we’ll see you and your family in San Francisco.

Left to right: Ivan Sada, Jesse Schrader, Kurtis Pruitt, Perry Parker

Golf

National Golf Champion, Sacramento:
Vohn Dumdumaya - 17 years old

Vohn is now a three-time National Golf Champion, and at 17, he’ll still be eligible to compete next year! But Vohn has already told us that he’s ready to “give back” to CSL Behring for helping make him the “golfer I am today.” Vohn has shown that he’s fully qualified to help other youth with bleeding disorders tackle the grand game of golf; a 38 over 9 holes is plenty to convince most of us weekend duffers of that. Vohn just entered his senior year in high school, and is hopeful of getting a golf scholarship at Sacramento State University. Well done, Vohn.

Left to right: Ivan Sada, Perry Parker , Vohn Dumdumaya, Jesse Schrader

Raffle

National Raffle Champion, Salt Lake City:
China Harbaugh - 11 years old

Literally facing the longest odds of any of our champions, China is not as fragile as her name would convey. China finished third in the Salt Lake City JNC—in golf no less, a sport that the boys usually dominate. China says she had a great time at the JNC, and learned a lot from Perry Parker; she also gave a shoutout to a very helpful caddy, Perry’s pro golfing brother Corey Parker. Congratulations, China!

Special thanks as always to all the chapters and HTCs who partnered with CSL Behring to make these events a reality—and a very special memory for everyone who took part (and that certainly includes us). The hosting Managers of Coagulation Products did a fantastic job of coordinating this program across the county, and as always our Hemophilia Moms were a tremendous source of help and inspiration. Special thanks to our Gettin’ in the Game athletes, Perry, Jesse and Ivan, who are passionately dedicated to helping and inspiring the children to be the best they can be. Last but not least, thanks to all the volunteers and to Freeman/ProActive, our event agency that executes these programs so very well. Hope to see a lot of you at NHF and let’s do it again next year!