Injured Summit County resident is China-bound
On Aug. 2, 2006, Ryan Hoffman, a Summit County resident, was involved in a construction accident that left him paralyzed below the waist. Since then Ryan looks to the future rather than focusing on the past. While still in recovery in the hospital, Ryan was already researching possible options for a full recovery. When he announced that he was going to China to undergo five umbilical cord blood transfusions, his friends and family realized that the need for finances above and beyond what insurance and workman's comp would provide, would be needed. Summit County rallied to Ryan's side. Restaurants, local businesses and hundreds of individuals came out for a fundraiser held on Nov. 16, 2006 for a party, silent auction and raffle at the Snake River Saloon. More than $11,000 was raised to help send Ryan to China. Some of the big contributors included were: Mathison Custom Builders, The Snake River Saloon, Breckenridge Building Center, Mountain Rose Community Acupuncture, Main Street Wellness, Vail Resorts, Arapahoe Basin, Arkansas Valley Adventures and Wilderness Sports. Ryan leaves for China and the non-FDA approved stem cell transplant therapy Aug. 12.
