Whitewater Rafting River Guide Could Use a Little Help
May 19, 2008.Kelley Kalafatich is widely acknowledged as an accomplished whitewater rafting guide. In addition to surfing the waves of Santa Cruz, training with Sacramento’s competitive outrigger team, and rafting whitewater rivers around the world, her accomplishments include numerous expedition first descents and many years as a member of the U.S. Women’s Whitewater Rafting Team. She was the stunt double for Meryl Streep in the film “The River Wild.” Most of Kelley’s professional life has been dedicated to being a wilderness guide and making wilderness experiences possible for people who otherwise would not have such opportunities.
Seven months ago Kelley developed a rare condition diagnosed as Transverse Myelitis, which results in lesions and severe inflammation of the spinal cord and has left her with paralysis from the waist down and acute nerve pain.
The degree of Kelley’s eventual recovery is unknown at this time. Because of her positive attitude and hard work, she may be among the one-third who can recover from this type of spinal injury. However, the expenses of a long and debilitating injury exceed the coverage provided by insurance and any savings from her modest income over the years as a river guide. Friends, co-workers and clients who have known Kelley have been affected by her courage, humility and willingness to do anything for a friend in need. Now is the time to gather together to help this extraordinary woman in her time of need.
A Film Event… Kelley and two other women, Julie Munger and Rebecca Rusch, are featured in a film entitled “Three Women, Three Hundred Miles”, in which they documented their month-long trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon on river boards. The film won an award for best documentary at the Durango Film Festival. It is introduced by Meryl Streep.
The film will be shown at a benefit in Santa Cruz on June 7, 2008 at 7:00 at the Pacific Cultural Center, 1307 Seabright Avenue. There will be a silent auction before and after the film. Proceeds from the event will go to a special fund established for Kelley under the auspices of the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF) Spinal Cord Injury program.
What You Can Do… There is a call for donations of gift certificates, products, or services for a silent auction. Fundraising is through NTAF, a non-profit organization, and all contributions of money or gifts-in-kind are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. Funds will be used only to pay or reimburse Kelley’s medical-related expenses.
Please contact janedriscoll2002@yahoo.com or 831-566-6558 for further information.
