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FRIENDS IN NEED
Dear
Supporter,
Thanks to the incredible generosity of friends like you, since
inception in 2002, the PPSG has paid out almost $1,300,000 to
38 seriously injured or ill players and grooms.
Unfortunately, it is likely we will continue to find members of
our polo family in need of assistance. Therefore I hope you will
be able to attend the annual Outback 40 Goal Games played in February
of each year, and share in a fun filled display of the world's
best players followed by a fabulous dinner and auction.
If you are unable to attend but would like to help, donations
are always welcome or stay tuned for auction items and plan to
bid by phone.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PAST SUPPORT!!!!
Best Regards,
David Offen
The efforts of numerous volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors
and donors have provided much needed help to many members of our
polo family. Since inception, the PPSG has provided financial
assistance to:
(click
on a gold link to read more...)
- Rob
Walton*,
for ongoing living and therapy expenses.
- Gary
Rizzo*, for whom we established an education trust.
- Brian
Murphy*, who requires ongoing care for a serious
head injury.
- Ruben
Repollo*, a groom who miraculously survived multiple
stab wounds in 2002. Thanks to Dr. Ian Rubins, Dr. Bruce Molinelli
and Greenwich Hospital, Ruben received the cosmetic surgery
required to restore his stomach to its original appearance..
- Murad
Ismael, who bruised his spinal cord in a polo accident
in 2002 which kept him out of work for six months..
- Justin
Pimsner*, who had a terrible truck and trailer
accident, resulting in the loss of eight horses and leaving
him with serious multiple injuries requiring about twenty surgeries
to date.
- Bob
Stuerzebecher, who was thrown from a horse while
umpiring, breaking six ribs and had his spleen removed.
- Bobby
Barry*, during his successful battle with cancer.
Tragically, we lost Bobby to a heart attack.
- Mark
Gutierrez - whose complications with a broken ankle
kept him out of the saddle for six plus months.
- Judith
Baker - who was unable to work for six months due to
a serious back injury which required surgery.
- Manuel
Romero - long time groom of Memo Gracida who had to
stop working after a long battle with untreatable cirrhosis
of the liver.
- Patricia
Torres - a groom who was diagnosed with cancer.
- Sebastian
Bonorino - unable to work for six months due to acute
viral hepatitis.
- Brian
Middleton - Unable to work for at least six months
due to pulmonary embolism.
- Miguel
Torres* - a longtime pro was diagnosed with malignant
brain tumors. Miguel underwent surgery, chemo and radiation.
- Gina
Wood - a groom who has been working in high-goal for
over 15 years, suffered a serious infection in her foot which
resulted in blood clots. Despite several surgeries, unfortunately,
doctors were forced to amputate the foot.
- Paul
Hoddy - a player/groom from the Chicago area sufferd
a serious fall from a ladder which left him unable to work for
4-6 months.
- Agustin
Ortiz* - who has been unable to work for over six months
due to complications following two knee replacement surgeries
to date. Unfortunately Augustine will have to undergo further
surgery.
- Greg
Garvin - was diagnosed with CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory
Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) in April 2004. In May 2005 Greg
was hospitalized for four months and diagnosed with POEMS Syndrome,
a very rare cancer. Greg refuses to give in and continues physiotherapy
to overcome severe neuropathy in his hands and feet.
- Salvador
Socas* - suffered a serious head injury in a polo accident.
- Estabon
Panelo - Estabon was a 9 goal player when he suffered a
very serious head injury that ended his quest of reaching 10
goals and effectively ended his career as a pro.
- Patricio
Vasquez* - was unable to work for six months due to
serious illness.
- David
Manuel - was unable to work for six months due to a
serious injury, breaking both legs.
- Nick
Winters - was thrown from a horse and suffered a serious
spinal cord injury. He was originally unable to move his legs
and arms but his prognosis is good and should make a full recovery
after a lengthy rehabilitation.
- Estabon
Zoppi - suffered a bad hip fracture in a practice game.
- Claudio
Perez* - a groom who suffered a very serious spinal
cord injury and likely will spend the rest of his life in a
wheelchair.
- Hugo
Nunez - who suffered a serious spinal cord injury while
playing.
- Laurie
Logsdon - a groom who suffered a spinal cord injury
during a fall from a horse.
- Nestor
Fadiga - a groom who is suffering from serious kidney
disease and is in need of a transplant.
- John
Cole - fought a very brave fight against cancer but
unfortunately passed away.
- Claudio
Manfrin - who suffered a life threatening motorcycle
accident and faces a very long rehab & recovery.
- Luis
Funes - was hit head-on by a drunk driver, suffered
2 collapsed lungs, multiple rib fractures and a laceration of
the lower lobe of the liver, and has developed acute respiratory
distress syndrome from his injuries that may keep him out of
work for at least 9 months
- Joi
Rodriguez - was involved in a serious truck and
trailer accident that resulted in the loss of 4 horses and Joi
being airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. She will
require multiple surgeries.
- Dave
Roberts - had a serious illness and was unable to work
for five months.
- Miguel
Silvestre - had
a serious back injury requiring surgery and was unable to work
for 8 months.
- Veronica
Celis
- suffered a very serious illness and was unable to manage the
family polo business for 5 months.
- Simon
Martineau - who is battling cancer.
- Marcos
Chavez - a groom who had a tumor removed from behind
his eye and was unable to work for six months.
The
beneficiaries with a star * next to their name have received more
than one assistance grant.
The
PPSG enables us to make tax deductible donations, to help our
friends in need, while at the same time enjoying great polo and
great camaraderie.
We
appreciate and are very grateful to everyone who has contributed
to our success to date. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our
sponsors, donors, ticket and auction items buyers and the volunteers
who help make it all happen!
Please
join us for the Outback 40 Goal Challenge to benefit the PPSG
to be played each year at International Polo Club in February.
For tickets, please call The International Polo Club at (561)
204-5687.
To
make tax deductible donations, please make checks out to
Polo Players Support Group, Inc.
11924 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 22-287
Wellington, FL 33414
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