Help Support Ironman Ed’s Road to Recovery

Ed Breda is a lot of things to a lot of people. But if there's one word everyone would use to describe him, it's athletic. Ed is an Ironman. An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and then a 26.2 mile run. He's done that 6 times, including qualifying for the World Championships in 2006. And he was thinking about doing another one. Marathon? Child's play for Ed. He's ran 17 marathons, including qualifying for the Boston marathon. He's been on 3 weeklong hiking trips to Yellowstone and the Tetons.

On Thursday, March 6, Ed was on his way home after his daily 50 mile bike ride when he was involved in a very serious accident. He has a T4 spinal fracture burst. This spinal cord injury has left him paralyzed from about the nipple area down. He has lost his left eye and its vision. He has a broken jaw. He has many broken ribs.

To say we are devastated is an understatement. This is a life-altering event for Ed and his family. He is only 3 years into his retirement, a retirement that is now going to look vastly different than what he and his family had planned.

Ed and his family have a long road to recovery with an unpredictable and seemingly endless amount of expenses. Ed is currently in the trauma ICU in Miami, FL. He, his wife and their dog live in Fort Myers, FL. His daughter lives in Chicago, IL. His son and daughter-in law live in St. Louis, MO. This is why we are asking for your help.

Your donations will help support:

-medical expenses: hospital stays, treatment and follow up care for Ed

-travel expenses for his family to be able to see him

-therapy: physical, occupational and mental health therapy to help Ed regain as much of his independence as he can

-temporary foster care for their dog

-lifestyle expenses: a wheelchair, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle his wife will be able to drive, renovations to their house to make it accessible

We already know Ironman Ed is tough and will fight like hell. But he and his family need your support right now. No amount is too small and even just sharing this fundraiser can help make a difference. Your support can help his family, and Ed needs his family now more than ever right now. Thank you for thinking of the Breda family during this incredibly difficult time.