At Camden Yards, Gov. Hogan talks about partnership with O's to fight pediatric cancer

In conjunction with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Orioles announced a new partnership with the office of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Ronald McDonald House Charities in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Through this partnership, the Orioles and Hogan together hope to make a meaningful difference in the fight against childhood cancer. Hogan is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment to fight non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which he was diagnosed with in June.

Hogan is at Camden Yards today and met with Orioles manager Buck Showalter during batting practice.

"I really want to sincerely thank Mr. Angelos and the Orioles organization for reaching out to us and doing this tonight. You know not only are they contributing $50,000 to help us with the fight, but we've got two groups here tonight," Hogan said.

"We've got the Ronald McDonald House foundation, which is helping kids, and pediatric cancer is a terrible problem. This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and it is also Leukemia & Lymphoma month. We have about 150 people that are cancer survivors and cancer patients. We're helping to raise awareness and the Orioles could not have been greater. They reached out to us, and this was their idea and we are happy to be a part of it."

In support of this important initiative, the Orioles will host a fundraiser prior to tonight's against Boston. Before the game, the Orioles will present a check for $50,000 to benefit the cause and are asking fans to also be a part of the effort. Fans are invited to make a donation in any amount by visiting www.orioles.com/charity.

An exclusive ticket offer will allow fans to contribute while receiving a 50 percent discount on game tickets for tonight against Boston or for the series against the Toronto Blue Jays from Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Fans can take advantage of the offer by visiting www.orioles.com/charity and donating $10 to the cause for each ticket purchased.

"I was hit with this diagnosis out of the blue," Hogan said. "It was a little bit of a shock, but I immediately went into action. I've kept a really positive attitude and thought, 'How could I make something out of this?'

"In addition to my fullt-ime job - I'm trying to work as hard as I can for the taxpayers of Maryland - I've got a new calling and cause. One out of every four people is afflicted with cancer; it touches almost every single family. It's a cause that is necessary. Even though I'm spending half the time in the hospital and running the state, I'm also doing a lot of things for cancer.

"We did something with the Cool Kids Cancer Campaign at the Redskins game Sunday, we are here tonight and we are doing something similar at Opening Day for the Ravens. It is not the kind of thing you want to have happen to you, but as silly as this sounds, I feel it's a blessing and has given me an opportunity to open my eyes to a whole new world and help people."

Hogan said he is doing well in his personal fight and that he draws strength from seeing children who are dealing with some tough personal battles as well.

"I feel good," he said. "I feel pretty strong actually. I use to work almost 18-20 hours a day and now I'm down to eight or 10 or 12. I'm going back in the hospital Friday morning. It will be 16 straight days since I got out and I've worked all 16 days. I feel good.

"I'm really proud of these young kids because it is not easy to go through chemotherapy and radiation treatments and things they have to go through. I'm trying to stay strong.

"I get way more out of it than I am giving to them. They've been such an inspiration to me. They are incredible kids. We were with a 13-year-old girl last week, and she's been battling cancer since she was five and she's gone through eight years of bone marrow transplants. It's unbelievable the strength she has. I'm inspired by watching folks going through tougher battles than me."