To Annie's family and friends,

As some of you know, Annie was recently working on a sommelier contract in France and Italy when she suffered a serious fall during a trail run in Italy on September 23. She was on a steep trail in the southern Dolomites when a rock dislodged, causing her to lose her balance and fall approximately 150 feet down a steep slope through rocks and trees. The fall broke her right ankle and lower tibia, and she couldn't move from her position. When she didn't show up to work later that day, search and rescue was called. By the time they found her at 2am the next day, it was cold, raining, and she was getting hypothermic. A team of 15+ people helped stabilize her and she was lifted out by an army helicopter to a hospital in Treviso, north of Venice. She immediately had surgery on the ankle and was treated for other injuries including a crack in her lower vertebrae, severe bruising, fractured wrist and facial injuries. Luckily she did not suffer any major head injuries and the medical team thinks with time she should be able to recover. By coincidence Annie's parents Jill and Bob arrived in Italy on vacation the same day as the accident, and they have been with her in the hospital every day.

We are so thankful for the search and rescue team - without their quick action the situation could have been fatal. The doctors and nurses at the hospital have provided great care. Unfortunately Annie has been in a hospital bed since the accident, unable to sit up due to her back, and dealing with pain. She will undergo a second surgery on the ankle/tibia in the near future to put in plate/pins and will need to wear a back brace for a while as a precaution. Once discharged from the hospital, she will need to stay in Italy for a couple weeks post surgery before being able to return to the U.S. to continue recovering.

We are setting up this fundraiser to help Annie with medical costs, rehab, and transportation back home. Any help and encouragement is appreciated as she goes through this ordeal and the recovery ahead.

Thank you and be safe out there,