In Honor of Climber Selma Hafizbegovic

Selma was paralyzed in a climbing accident in the Rockies on June 17th.
Her friends organized this fundraiser to offset medical expenses not covered by insurance (details below)

Thursday August 12, 2010
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Central Bar
Private Room Upstairs
109 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10003 (map)

Tickets are $20 and include drink specials, food, music, silent auctions, drawings, and fun!
This is a community effort where NYC professionals and companies
donate their services and products for the auction and drawings.
You also meet like minded people who care for the outdoors.

Drawing included for all attendees:
$100 Gift Certificate to Paragon Sports

Silent Auctions
2 x Full Day of Rock or Ice Climbing for 2 ($330 each)
Round Trip Airfare in Continental US for 2 (~$800)
2 nights at the Borgata in Atlantic City (TBD)
1 Hour Acupuncture treatment, Neeya Byrd ($200)
Backstreet Boys Concert tickets for 2 and autographed photo, Aug 26 (TBD)
4 customized nutrition consultations, Kateryna Zemskova ($100 each)

Other Drawings
$100 Gift Certificate for Otto Pizzeria
4 tickets to NY Liberty Women's basketball game - August 26 ($280)
$100 Gift Certificate to Bliss Spa
$200 and $50 gift certificate off any Zirkel the World International trip
$70 gift certificate for Zum Schneider

More items and services are being added daily.

Buy tickets online

Email organizer Raymond Watson or call 213-373-1434


SELMA HAFIZBEGOVIC's STORY

Although success and wealth fill the streets of Manhattan, nothing gravitates a New Yorker more than the human condition.  We often publicize the story of rags-to-riches, but for every story of success we certainly know millions of others fade into anonymity.

While some of us are fortunate to step on the pyramid of success at different heights, most are not and Selma Hafizbegovic certainly started at the base.  Her childhood was spent in Yugoslavia; later, she faced death as Yugoslavia’s ethnic divide spiraled to war.  She managed to flee her war-torn country and sought New York as her best hope to happiness.  Her intuition proved her right:  she honed her English speaking skills, secured an education and climbed the corporate ladder at Deloitte & Touche; plus, she fully invested her time with family and friends. The pieces came together, and she was looking forward to the best years of her life.

This past June, she and four fellow New Yorkers decided to vacation in the Rocky Mountains at Colorado’s Eldorado Canyon State Park, where they planned to spend their time outdoors climbing. Selma was going to climb the Wind Tower rock formation via the Recon Route.  She was with four other climbers, all who are visiting from New York who were all properly equipped with ropes, gear and helmets. Selma was walking near the group when two of her friends began to climb.  When the first climber started going up he accidentally pulled down a large rock the size of a person.  Selma, who was standing below, was swept down a fifty foot ravine with the rocks.

She was evacuated by members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and Rocky Mountain Fire and flown to a Denver hospital where she had two comprehensive back surgeries and treatments for injuries that included a broken hip, shoulder blade and ribs.

Anyone with an acute consciousness has wondered how their life might be different had they made the slightest change in decision—whether you stopped for coffee prior to a traffic ticket or stepped on the train car where you met your spouse.  If you have ever wondered how these incidental decisions may have changed your life, then you can certainly understand how future decisions can equate to changes in the lives of our family and friends. 

Even though Selma remains paralyzed at Craig Hospital in Denver and will undoubtedly face additional surgeries, her attitude is hopeful and her spirit is determined; however, this alone will not offset the extensive medical costs and months of rehabilitation.  While Selma is insured, the hospital has estimated costs to exceed $200,000 above and beyond what is covered.

A group of her closest friends have decided to host a fundraiser on behalf of Selma Hafizbegovic on August 12th, 2010 at the Central Bar in New York City.  You are invited to come and enjoy drink specials, appetizers, drawings, a silent auction and fun.

The decision to support Selma and her condition rests with each of us.  Even if you are unable to attend, please consider purchasing tickets to the event on behalf of another attendee.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Tax deductible donations can also be made to NTAF New York Spinal Cord Injury Fund.

Boulder County Sheriff Report