It was a big night at Great American Ball Park on Friday night, with fans witnessing a nail-biter between the Reds and Brewers, followed by a concert from the Zac Brown Band.But this wasn't just an ordinary concert. Friday is Lou Gehrig Day across Major League Baseball and one of the members of the Zac Brown Band is in the middle of his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.Before taking the stage Friday, he made time for people who are in the same fight.Prior to belting out the national anthem and playing in front of a packed crowd, John Driskell Hopkins, one of the founding members of the Zac Brown Band, spent time along the banks of the Ohio, talking with others who are fighting to beat the odds of ALS."It felt almost like a responsibility and not a choice. You know, we have this massive platform and this opportunity to reach millions of people," Hopkins said.Hopkins wouldn't wish this diagnosis on anyone. As soon as he was diagnosed, he knew he wanted to use his fame to fight for himself and everyone else who is given the same devastating diagnosis.Whether it is for someone who was just diagnosed last year, like Rainer Hartmann or Lorri Carey, who is one of the rare people to live 19 years with ALS, John is making a difference."Just seeing these people in motorized wheelchairs and people who can't talk, I just know at some point that's gonna be me," Hopkins said while fighting through tears.When you are dealt this hand, it's had to feel grateful. But thanks to John's Hop on a Cure foundation, there's at least a glimmer of hope."I'm just trying to take it day by day, and trying to continue to do whatever I can in the moment," Hopkins said.It's that kind of teamwork that would make Gehrig proud.On Friday, the Reds presented Hop on a Cure a check for $125,000 for ALS research. It was also the largest regular-season crowd in GABP's history.
It was a big night at Great American Ball Park on Friday night, with fans witnessing a nail-biter between the Reds and Brewers, followed by a concert from the Zac Brown Band.
But this wasn't just an ordinary concert. Friday is Lou Gehrig Day across Major League Baseball and one of the members of the Zac Brown Band is in the middle of his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Before taking the stage Friday, he made time for people who are in the same fight.
Prior to belting out the national anthem and playing in front of a packed crowd, John Driskell Hopkins, one of the founding members of the Zac Brown Band, spent time along the banks of the Ohio, talking with others who are fighting to beat the odds of ALS.
"It felt almost like a responsibility and not a choice. You know, we have this massive platform and this opportunity to reach millions of people," Hopkins said.
Hopkins wouldn't wish this diagnosis on anyone. As soon as he was diagnosed, he knew he wanted to use his fame to fight for himself and everyone else who is given the same devastating diagnosis.
Whether it is for someone who was just diagnosed last year, like Rainer Hartmann or Lorri Carey, who is one of the rare people to live 19 years with ALS, John is making a difference.
"Just seeing these people in motorized wheelchairs and people who can't talk, I just know at some point that's gonna be me," Hopkins said while fighting through tears.
When you are dealt this hand, it's had to feel grateful. But thanks to John's Hop on a Cure foundation, there's at least a glimmer of hope.
"I'm just trying to take it day by day, and trying to continue to do whatever I can in the moment," Hopkins said.
It's that kind of teamwork that would make Gehrig proud.
On Friday, the Reds presented Hop on a Cure a check for $125,000 for ALS research. It was also the largest regular-season crowd in GABP's history.
Source link
