| 2000 Olympic Champion Rulon Gardner leads effort to create the "Miracle on the Mat" Foundation for B |
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By Heather Van Peursem USA Wrestling
12/21/2000
2000 Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), along with other Olympic athletes, has teamed with BioPulse International, Inc. to create a foundation called "Miracle on the Mat" to help raise money for a rare form of bone cancer. Gardner's home community of Star Valley, Wyoming is also helping the cause for David Draney, a local hero, who suffers from the rare form of bone cancer. The "Miracle on The Mat Foundation" has been formed for the education and prevention of cancer, especially for children. Gardner's older brother Ronald died at age 13 of Aplastic Anemia. Gardner is leading the campaign to raise funds of $150,000.00 to pay for the treatments which Draney has received, plus to receive new cancer therapeutics at BioPulse. Draney, a former nationally ranked decathlete and aspiring Olympian was diagnosed in 1997 with Chondro Blastic Osteo Carcnoma, a rare bone cancer. Since that time, Draney has undergone 12 surgeries; chemotherapy; lost his leg, hip, and two ribs, and recently had four tumors removed. "I am doing this is support of David, a fellow aspiring Olympian," said Gardner. "We all have heroes and role models. David Draney is it. He inspired me to follow my dreams. He first gave me the idea that I could even try to become an Oympian. I watched him battle cancer and witnessed its effects. He taught me never to take my health for granted and to live each day to the fullest." There will be a live televised local network affiliate broadcat on December 23rd to try and help raise the money for Dranay. Others helping in the cause: Olympic Gold Medalist platform diver Laura Wilkinson; Gold Medalist women's pole vaulter Stacy Dragila; Gold Medalist swimmer Gary Hall Jr.; former Gold Medalist gymnast Mary Lou Retton; former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly; and a growing list of others. For Donations to the David Draney Benefit Fund: The Bank of Star Valley 384 South Washington Afton, Wyoming 83110 Phone: (307) 885-0000
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