Saturday evening in Shanandoah, IA a local MMA fighter broke his neck during a fight. He has has surgery to removed the crushed vertebrea and is still in the hospital. However, unfortunately the family does not have health insurance to cover the enormous cost of the surgery and hospital stay. I am hoping the MMA community will come togther to relieve that additional worry the this family. Even if you can only give $5, it's very much appreciated and a little can add up to a lot. -Samantha
The official benefit show to help the Kirk family is being formed right now. To be held in the Omaha area, the date and location is to be announced soon. Donation info.
We are seeking the cooperation of all the local mma shows to help raise money for the Kirk family in its time of need.
** Mailing information below.
(Shenandoah) -- A Shenandoah ultimate fighter is now contending for use of his limbs. 20 year-old Zack Kirk was rushed to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha after being immobilized in a 'take-down' at Saturday night's Mayhem Martial Arts fight at the National Guard Armory. His mother Diana tells KMA News his fifth vertebrae was crushed and his spinal chord damaged. She reports that after a three-hour surgery, he has some use of his arms after replacing the vertebrae with a bone from his hip. Monday's M-R-I showed everything is lined up properly and there are no cuts in the spinal chord, but it did reflect chord damage. Diana believes miracles happen and says Zack is going to be one of them.
Kirk's friend and fellow-fighter Joe Perkins tells KMA News it was a freak accident that could have happened in football or wrestling just as easily. Perkins explains that Kirk went for a take-down but his unnamed contender had his arms restrained, preventing Zack from breaking his fall with his arms. He was then rolled over irresponsive. Without realizing injury, the opponent dealt a blow or two before the referee halted the match. Perkins says after exchanging a few words with Kirk, the referee called for a stretcher and Kirk was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
Kirk is a 145 lb 2-0 Wrestler with 6 years of Experience. His trainer Adam Miller tells KMA News "This kid has amazing ground work and slams that would wake the dead." For more information on the organization, visit mayhemmartialarts.com.
A fundraiser event is being planned by martial arts gyms in Omaha and Columbus, Nebraska to help defray medical costs.
A container for financial donations is currently at the Eagle's Club in Shenandoah at 709 West Thomas Avenue.
--An Article from the KETV website about the accident. http://www.ketv.com/news/19578023/detail.html
Donations can be send DIRECTLY to the Kirk Family via Paypal or to the mailing address listed below. Any paypal donations can be sent to rkirk77@hotmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, it is a paypal account belonging to Zach Kirk's Father.All donations go directly to the Kirk family and are not filtered through anyone else.
** Any donations or items to be auctioned off at/for the benefit show are to be sent to:
Care of Zach Kirk
6705 S 73rd St Cir
Ralston, NE 68127
If you live in the area you can visit Zach and show your support. He is at the Creighton Medical Center Hospital room 3121. Please be respectful if you do visit. He is still in pain and needs rest.
Thank you all again for doing anything you can for this individual. Personally, I do not know him- but any fighter of MMA is part of a community and as I stated earlier I am hoping this community can come together in a time of need and help his family in any way possible. If you cannot give monetarily please give with your time. Simply copy and pasting this will help get awareness and maybe someone you inform can also help.
Zach and his family do not blame MMA and know this could have happened in any contact sport. He is still hopefully and optimistic. Thank you all! -Samantha
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