On February 23rd, 2008, just five days after returning from a trip to Ghana, Africa, Dawn Dubsky went to Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, Ill. to get tested for Malaria because she had been experiencing fatigue, fever, and a severe headache. The test result came back positive and she was admitted immediately. One day after being diagnosed Dawn was fighting for her life in the ICU as her body went into septic shock and her organs began to fail. She was transferred to the University of Chicago Medical Center on Feb. 29th and was brought immediately into surgery to save her life.
On March 3rd 2008, Dawn lost her limbs to her knees and elbows. Despite several exhaustingly long and traumatic surgeries, her courageous fight continues. Her strength and determination are a source of inspiration for her entire family and friends.
For the past two years, Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez has worked with the Nothing But Nets campaign to raise awareness about the devastating effects of malaria in Africa, as well as raise money for long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets.
Gutierrez has traveled to Mali to observe the distribution of bed nets to underprivileged youth, has visited the White House as part of World Malaria Day 2007, participated in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Malaria Forum, and now on July 18, Diego will take part in a fundraising benefit in Dawn's honor.
In an effort to raise money to help Dawn live the best possible life with the most advanced tools the medical field has to offer, the luv-a-dub organization has formed to assist Dawn in her time of need, sponsoring the July 18 fundraiser at Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th Street, in Merrionette Park, Ill. The fundraiser will directly help Dawn in her recovery and rehabilitation, and with her arm and leg prosthetic devices, with a specific goal of raising $200,000, the estimated cost for state of the art arm and leg prosthetics.
The Chicago Fire has donated a soccer ball signed by all Chicago Fire players, as well as an authentic #8 Diego Gutierrez jersey with his autograph for the raffle and silent auction.
The evening is expected to bring over 1,000 people together from around Chicagoland and other parts of the country.
For more information, or to join Chicago Fire Midfielder Diego Gutierrez at this special event, please visit www.luv-a-dub.org.
