<div>IT'S GOING TO TAKE A VILLAGE
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<div>Hello. My name is Mike. I'm the race director of The Breck Epic.
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<div>Howard Grotts was having an amazing race during our 2024 event and was leading the pro men's overall on the 6th and final stage. About a mile from the finish, Howard lost control of his bike and sustained serious and life-threatening injuries.
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<div>Our medical team responded quickly. They were at his side within minutes. They were immediately joined by local emergency services and Summit County Search and Rescue whose response team prepped Howard for transport.
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<div>Howard was airlifted to St Anthony's in Denver where the severity of his injuries could be fully evaluated and treated. They are extensive and include damage to his back, spine, ribs, clavicle and scapula.
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<div>Howard is an absolute lion on the bike. More importantly, he is kind and gentle. Quiet and thoughtful. He rides and acts with dignity, sportsmanship and honor. His temporary absence leaves a huge whole in our community, and he faces a long road to recovery that's going to require deep reserves of courage. And the support of everyone around him.
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<div>The front lines of our country's medical system are populated by competent, caring professionals. We saw that in abundance on Stage 6. The U. S. healthcare bench though? That's a little different. It seems purpose-built to weave profit from catastrophe.
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<div><em>NOTE: We received a thoughtful note from a medical professional who took issue with the above paragraph. Under the heading of owning what you publish, I'm going to leave that paragraph up, but I will offer some additional clarification.</em>
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<div><em>I believe that the medical profession is populated almost front to rear with individuals who are profoundly dedicated to healing. I believe them to be capable, gifted, and in possession of a capacity for compassion and emotional resilience that most of us cannot fathom. Howard is in their care, and incredibly fortunate in that regard.</em>
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<div><em>What I was referring to was the US healthcare system, where profit IS part of the equation. Do I doubt that Howard will receive the best care available? As I've often said when confronted with an injured rider or a friend battling serious illness, "There's never been a better time in the history of our planet to receive medical care than RIGHT NOW." So yes, I believe that despite the seriousness of his injuries, that he is in incredible and capable hands. I never meant to suggest (nor do I believe that I did), that the quality of his care will be in any way related to his ability to pay.</em>
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<div><em><span class="ql-cursor">﻿</span>I do know from direct experience (I still have the bill for the helicopter that transported my newborn child 16 years ago) that post-care bills will outstrip those of any modernized country on the planet, and by a fair margin. That's a larger societal discussion that we don't need to have today. If I've offended anyone in the medical field, please accept my apology. I, along with everyone who loves and respects Howard, remain deeply in your debt. - MM</em>
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<div>The money part is just money...and while we are just a village, we are global. We are legion. We don't have much control of his condition or of his recovery, but together, we can work to relieve the financial pressure and the mental burden those bills place on Howard and those who love him and raised him.
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<div>I'm sure that you're going to see a huge effort from the Specialized camp. Please, support that effort. Or this one. It doesn't matter which one receives your donation - in moments like these, we just need to get a note on every door, hut and tent.
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<div>We don't have the reach of Howard's sponsors, but we do have our own list and our own village. And our village, while smaller, is remarkably and consistently kind and gentle, quiet and thoughtful. It's populated by riders who love mountain biking. It's just like Howard. We are his people.
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<div>So please, even if it's just 5 bucks. Lean IN. Howard, his family and loved ones need our help, and in this moment filled with helplessness, a small donation can make a huge difference, especially when we begin stacking the 5-dollar bills from each of our houses together.
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<div>Thank you so much -
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<div>MikeMac
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<div><em>IMAGE: Devon Balet</em>
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Marty Dierl

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