Sarah Burke medical bill - As the skiing community continues to mourn Sarah Burke's death, more than $185,000 had been raised by Friday evening on a fundraising website set up to help her family cover hospital costs.
Burke, sarah burke dies, the Canadian freestyle skier who was instrumental in bringing the women's skiing halfpipe event to the Olympics, died Thursday morning at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. Burke died of cardiac arrest and lack of oxygen to her brain, complications that followed a traumatic brain injury she suffered during a training run on the Park City superpipe course Jan. 10. She was 29. sarah burke medical bill,
"Please consider helping them cover the enormous cost of Sarah's recent medical care and to provide for other arrangements by donating," read a letter on the fundraising site. "Your support in their greatest time of need will be gratefully appreciated and forever remembered."
The site was organized by her agent, Michael Spencer, and her husband, Rory Bushfield, is listed as the beneficiary. sarah burke website,
Although the original cost of her medical treatment was reported to be over $500,000, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association announced Friday that the final figure was expected to be approximately $200,000.
"Because of the donations in the last day, it is now clear that Sarah's family will not have any financial burden related to her care," the CFSA said in a statement. "Once charges are finalized, the University will work with Health Canada to determine what type of coverage may be available and what their contribution will be, as Sarah is a Canadian citizen."
The site listed a goal of $550,000.
"Sarah you were and always will be an inspiration to many," wrote one supporter on the site's message board. "Thank you for being a wonderful role model and someone girls can look up to in the skiing world. Your beautiful smile and soul will be forever with us. Thoughts and prayers go to your family and close friends."
The Vancouver Sun reported the CFSA has insurance to cover its athletes, but only in events sanctioned by the association. Burke was injured while on a training run at an event sponsored by Monster Energy Drink.
Monster Energy Drink's website featured a "We Love You Sarah!" tribute photo Friday which redirected fans to the fundraising site.
Burke had just completed a 540-degree "flat spin" trick, landing on her feet on the floor of the U-shaped superpipe. But what appeared to be a routine landing turned tragic in the few split seconds after Burke's skis made impact. According to a spokeswoman for her Canadian National Halfpipe Team, Burke bounced and fell on her head, suffering a torn vertebral artery.
CFSA CEO Peter Judge said in a conference call Thursday that Burke had completed the 540 flat spin "many, many times," and that the maneuver "was certainly in the realm of her skill capabilities.
"This injury was one - it was more of a freak accident than one caused by anything in specific terms," Judge said. "It was more of a fluke outcome. Safety was paramount to her."
IOC president Jacques Rogge expressed sadness over Burke's death, but said freestyle skiing is no more dangerous than other winter sports.
"It was with enormous sadness that I learned of the death of Sarah Burke," Rogge said. "She was a fine athlete doing the sport she loved. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/sarah-burke-family-reaches-covering-beloved-skier-500k-medical-bills-article-1.1009448#ixzz1kHMXWkzq
