Through the Connected to Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge contest, two City of Hope donors, survivors, caregivers or other supporters will hang out in the dugout and get into the game at City of Hope’s 21st annual Celebrity Softball Challenge on June 11. Held in Nashville, Tenn., the game will feature major country stars like Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley and David Nail.

An online contest offers a country music encounter for those “connected to hope.”

The winning “draft picks” will join City of Hope’s celebrity softball teams for the game. Each winner and a guest also will receive tickets for CMA Music Festival’s nightly concerts on June 10 and 11, including round-trip airfare and accommodations.

To enter the contest, participants are invited to share their story — in 500 or fewer words — about how City of Hope has touched them. Entrants may share their own personal stories about their treatment, or the treatment of a friend or family member, at City of Hope. Connected to Hope stories might also touch on research and therapies developed at City of Hope and in use worldwide. While City of Hope employees are not eligible to win the contest, they can encourage patients, family and friends to write about their connection to City of Hope’s mission to prevent and cure disease, as well.

Contest entries must be submitted by May 27 at www.cityofhope.org/connected. The site also has examples of personal stories. Complete rules are available on the website.

The Celebrity Softball Challenge is an official part of the CMA Music Festival. Now in its 21st year, the game has raised more than $2 million for City of Hope. PEOPLE Country is the presenting media sponsor for the event, which also is sponsored by Staples, Humana and Carhartt, among others.

For more information on City of Hope’s 21st annual Celebrity Softball Challenge, please visit www.cityofhope.org/giving/fundraising-events/softball.