A GoFundMe has been created for Balgonie Greenall Griffins punter Hunter Gronick, who suffered a serious injury during Thursday night’s football game in Swift Current and was taken to hospital.
The fundraiser was created by Hunter’s sister, Emily Gronick, who said he lost consciousness on the bench after taking a hit during the Griffins’ 21-14 loss to the Swift Current Comp. Colts.
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Play was stopped with 7:57 remaining in the fourth quarter as paramedics took Hunter to Cypress Regional Hospital.
A prayer circle between the two teams was held on the Colts’ bench before officials cancelled the remainder of the game.
“Testing revealed that he had suffered a brain bleed,” Emily said regarding his time at Cypress Regional Hospital.
“Because of the severity of his injury, Hunter needed to be transferred to Regina by STARS Air Ambulance. He arrived shortly after midnight and was taken into emergency surgery around 1:00 a.m.”
“Thankfully, the surgery went as well as the doctors could have hoped.”
According to the GoFundMe, a portion of Hunter’s skull was removed to allow his brain to heal from swelling and bleeding. He is currently sedated in the surgical intensive care unit and is expected to remain sedated for the next several days
“At this point, we expect him to spend weeks in the ICU, followed by what we know will be a long road to recovery,” Emily said.
“Right now, our family is focused on Hunter and getting him through the days ahead. There are still many unknowns about what his recovery will look like, how long he will be in the hospital, and what kind of care and rehabilitation he will need afterward.”
The fundraiser had an initial goal of $26,000, and then $45,000. As of 2 p.m. on Saturday, it had received more than 359 donations and raised close to $34,000.
Emily said the fundraiser will help ease the financial burden associated with Hunter’s injury.
“Funds will help with expenses for Hunter and our family during his hospitalization and recovery, including travel, accommodations, meals, medical and rehabilitation-related costs, and other expenses that come with being away from home and work for an extended period of time,” the GoFundMe states.
“Hunter is surrounded by his family, and we are incredibly grateful for the support and love that has already been shown to him. He has an amazing group of friends, teammates, coaches, and family members who are all pulling for him.”
Anyone interested in supporting Hunter and his family can donate through the GoFundMe page.
— with files from SwiftCurrentOnline
