Anna Leibenko, a former cheerleader for the Toronto Argonauts, a Canadian football team which is a part of the CFL, is in a coma after an accident that occurred during her European vacation last Friday.
During a month long European vacation with three friends, Anna visited Florence, where she celebrated her 24th birthday, as well as Greece. Lastly, the group hit up Croatia for Yacht Week, a traditional annual event where travelers rent yachts and explore caves, lagoons and islands of the Adriatic Sea. Anna and a group of friends were jumping off the boats at 6:00am — a 3-metre drop into the water, when she slipped and fell off of the catamaran. Anna hit her head on the stairs and landed in the water unconscious.
Anna’s friend, who was present at the time of the accident, told the Toronto Star that a doctor from Brazil heard the screams of bystanders from ten boats away and ran out in her night wear to save Anna’s life.
Anna was transported to the hospital by a helicopter. She stopped breathing in the hospital and was put on life support. According to a translated hospital record, “she fractured various facial bones and has contusions on her brain and lungs, as well as “shortage of breath.”
Anna must remain in the hospital for seven to ten days in order prevent air pockets from forming in her brain. As soon as she is stable, she will be flown back to Toronto by air ambulance, at a cost of $93,550.00 USD as Anna did not have travel insurance. Friends and family have already raised $38,183.41 through fundraising.
More information is available at: help-anna-leibenko.org
If you’re in the Toronto area, a fundraiser will be held at TIME nightclub, 81 Peter St. $20 donation is requested at the door and it will go to the Anna Leibenko fund. It’s one of the best Toronto spots and a great cause.