Ben Rouse, season ticket holder for the Milwaukee Brewers has a goal of attending all 162 games in the Brewers season and the team has offered to help him reach his goal in 2012.
Rouse, age 25, was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2007, he has undergone treatment and after receiving an umbilical cord blood transplant in October of 2009, he is healthy again. Rouse plans to raise awareness about the organization “Be the Match” which found his match for the donation throughout his journey dubbed- “Brewers Mission 162.”
“Ben is a remarkable young man with a great story to tell,” said Rick Schlesinger, Brewers chief operating officer. “When Ben approached us, he was not asking for assistance. But as we listened to his plans, we realized we could help carry his message to a larger audience and make critical differences to the lives of many.”
Be The Match operates the world’s largest listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units.
“It took a near death experience to make me realize that you only live once, and if you want to do something, you should do it now,” Rouse said. “My initial goal was to attend all 162 games, but the interest and support the Brewers have shown has inspired me to make this bigger than myself. If only one person joins the donor registry or makes a donation because of me, it would make this journey worth it. I have always admired people who found a way to make a difference, and I feel as though this mission has presented me with an opportunity to do just that.”
The Brewers have upgraded Rouse’s 2012 season ticket package to include all 81 regular season home games and have also provided him one ticket to every road game, a per diem for food and beverage for all 162 games and Brewers licensed apparel.
Fans are encouraged to visit www.bethematchfoundation.org/ben during his journey to learn more about the cause or to make financial contributions, Rouse said. Rouse will also blog about his journey on the Brewers website.
“We are proud to work with Ben and support our shared mission to help all patients in need of a marrow transplant,” said Christine Fleming, president, Be The Match Foundation. “His amazing journey is an inspiration for us all.”
