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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 awarded 56 assistance grants to
32 different individuals. In total the PPSG has awarded approximately
$1 Million to these 32 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
CLAUDIO MANFRIN
As many of you may know, Brazilian-born polo pro Claudio Manfrin
was severely injured in a motorcycle crash in Southern California
over Memorial Day Weekend. Claudio suffered multiple broken bones
as well as serious internal injuries and has been on life support
for several days. At first, his prognosis was grim…..his doctors
feared he would not survive his critical injuries. The wonderful
news is that Claudio is strong and he is a survivor. He has been
rallying each day in the hospital, much to the amazement and delight
of his friends, family and the medical staff, and was taken off
the respirator to breathe on his own. Although he faces many future
surgeries and a long, painful rehabilitation, he is alive and
recovering well. His indomitable spirit is helping him through
the worst nightmare of his life.
LUIS FUNES
As some of you may know, low-goal player Luis Funes has been badly
injured in a car accident. In addition to playing for a number
of teams here in the Hamptons, Luis is also the barn manager for
La Pampa Stable, a blacksmith and sometime polo teacher. Luis
was on his way to the La Pampa Stable on the morning of Sunday,
July 12 when an oncoming vehicle veered into his lane and struck
his car head-on. It took 2 hours for the fire dept to cut Luis
out of his car. This other driver was arrested and later released.
It is the 8th time since March '08 that this man has been arrested
for driving with a suspended license and DWI. Luis' injuries are:
2 collapsed lungs, multiple rib fractures and a laceration of
the lower lobe of the liver. Luis spent two weeks at the Surgical
ICU at Stonybrook, fighting for his life. He has developed acute
respiratory distress syndrome that may keep him out of work for
at least 9 months, perhaps longer. And this is not the first time
Luis has suffered tragedy in an automobile accident. A few years
ago, his 7-year old son was struck and killed while crossing the
street in Argentina while Luis was working here in the Hamptons.
Like most of those who piece together a living playing when they
can, grooming, shoeing and teaching, Luis sends the bulk of his
earnings home to his 3 surviving children in Argentina.
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:
- 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 is 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 recently.
-
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
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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