UPDATE: 1.19.13 – Nearly a year after Sarah Burke’s death, a nonprofit has been established to support the causes that were most important to the freeskier, who died on Jan. 19, 2012 from injuries sustained in a fall during a halfpipe training run. The Sarah Burke Foundation, which officially launched on Tuesday, will celebrate Sarah by offering grants to aspiring winter sports athletes and raising money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“When we all found out what was happening and we knew the actual outcome at the hospital, there was an expectation that we were going to do something in her honor,” said Michael Spencer, Burke’s agent and a member of the foundation’s board of directors. “What better way than starting a foundation and trying to uphold the standards that she set so high for herself and everyone else.”
Rory Bushfield, Burke’s husband, is the president of the foundation. “Sarah had too many amazing qualities to list, but two of the most obvious ones were her love of winter sports, and her commitment to helping people in need,” Bushfield said in a release. “We are honored to be able to continue Sarah’s practice of giving through the Sarah Burke Foundation and are grateful for the tremendous support we have received.”
UPDATE: 1.19.12 – Sarah Burke passed this morning and this fundraiser will help pay for her medical expenses. Please donate to http://www.giveforward.com/sarahburke to read the full story and please donate. MORE
Original Post – 1.11.12
I urge you to watch this video of Rory Bushfield and Sarah Burke – a married couple who found love on a mountain. It is such a well done video featuring two of action sports most prominent freeskiers.The newly-wed couple invite us into their lives and detail what its like to be at the forefront of action sports. It is truly inspiring and one of the most heartfelt, honest love stories you will hear.
I heard once that to find love, you have to stop searching for love. Just do what you love and the person who loves it too, and will love you, will be there. I know this is so true in my own life. Thank goodness for Andy DeVol, who I met at Bonneville. I am thankful everyday for him in my life. I am one of the lucky ones.
Sarah and Rory found each, found love and a passion for doing what they love everyday.
I also know that things can quickly be taken away by any number of events. Sarah is now fighting for her life after a training accident yesterday in Park City, Tuesday, January 10, 2012, as she prepared for XGames and another Gold Medal for 2012. She has previously won XGames Gold Medals in 2007, 08, 09 , 11.
It is reported by a friend of Sarah and a friend of My Life at Speed that her condition today remains critical and she is intubated and sedated.
Take a moment and watch the video – read the news excerpt below and say a prayer. Then take a moment to tell those that you love just how much you love them. You just never know what life will throw at us, but then again that is what makes our group – a group of kindred spirits – unique. Greg Tracy said it best, “In life, if you don’t risk anything, you risk everything.”
Sarah and Rory – you both exemplify that statement.
Prayers to you Sarah, to Rory and your family. – CNaz.
1.19.12 – Sarah – tears flowing. You are truly an inspiration and you will be missed. Prayers to Rory and your family.
Here is the news article from the Salt Lake Tribune – Remember to tell those that you love them. Life is short.
Here is the REUTERS release:
(Reuters) – Top Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke, seen as an early Olympic gold medal favorite ahead of the 2014 games, died on Thursday from injuries sustained in a training accident in Utah last week, a family spokeswoman said.
Considered one of the leading half-pipe athletes in the world, the 29-year-old was airlifted to Salt Lake City last Tuesday after falling during a half-pipe run in Park City, Utah.
“Sarah passed away peacefully surrounded by those she loved. In accordance with Sarah’s wishes, her organs and tissues were donated to save the lives of others,” family spokeswoman Iris Yen said in a written statement released to Reuters.
Burke, who was married to fellow skier Rory Bushfield, had surgery last Wednesday at the University of Utah hospital to repair a tear in her vertebral artery, the hospital said.
Yen said that Burke had suffered a ruptured vertebral artery in the fall on the Eagle Superpipe at Park City, which led to a severe intracranial hemorrhage.
“After the operation, numerous neurological examinations, electrodiagnostic tests and imaging studies revealed that Sarah sustained severe irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood after cardiac arrest,” Yen said in the statement.
“While early reports in the media stated that Sarah’s injury was a traumatic brain injury, it is important to note that Sarah’s condition was the result of a lack of oxygen to the brain during cardiac arrest,” she said.
Yen said Burke had been training for upcoming winter events at the time of the accident.
“Our hearts go out to Sarah’s husband Rory and her entire family. It’s difficult for us to imagine their pain and what they’re going through,” Peter Judge, chief executive of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association, said in a statement.
“Sarah was certainly someone who lived life to the fullest and in doing so was a significant example to our community and far beyond,” Judge said. “She will be greatly missed by all of us at the CFSA and the entire ski community.”
Yen said Burke’s family “was moved by the sincere and heartfelt sympathy expressed by people inspired by Sarah from all around the world.” A public celebration of Burke’s life would be held in the coming weeks, she added.
Burke reached the podium at every career World Cup start and is a four time champion at the X-Games, according to the ski association.
(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Cynthia Johnston)
