MILWAUKEE -- Patty Raburn, a former schoolteacher who has overcome a heart condition, stroke and breast cancer, is the Angels' nominee for the 2016 Honorary Bat Girl contest. Raburn will be recognized on the field at Angel Stadium this coming Sunday, prior to their Mother's Day game against the visiting Rays.
Raburn, a lifelong Orange County resident and Angels fan, overcame a heart condition and asthma at an early age to earn a degree from Chapman University and hold down a teaching position at Cambridge Elementary School in Orange, Calif.
At age 30, she suffered a massive stroke that paralyzed most of her body, taking away her speech and forcing her into retirement. Raburn underwent years of physical and speech therapy to fulfill duties as a mother, wife and volunteer at Children's Hospital of Orange County, where she spent a lot of time as a kid.
Last year, though, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now finishing up an aggressive round of chemotherapy.
Major League Baseball announced an Honorary Bat Girl for each of the 30 teams on Monday, with fans across the United States and Canada sharing inspirational stories about their fight against breast cancer. The complete list of winners and their stories can be found at HonoraryBatGirl.com.
Raburn and all the other winners will take part in pregame activities, be honored during an on-field ceremony and receive pink MLB merchandise with two tickets to Sunday's game. Clubs that are on the road on Mother's Day will designate another game in May to recognize their Honorary Bat Girl.