In the blink of an eye, the equivalent of 1/3 of a second of precious time. It is a testament of how quickly life can change. As racers, the Dina Parise Racing team can certainly attest to that, but accidents happen in everyday life just the same. Lives become disrupted as in the case of 20-year-old Katy Daniel.
Her story: On Mother's Day 2016 Katy was involved in a horrific, life altering accident. She was working on fence to be installed for her horse, Ginger by helping her uncle with an auger attached to his tractor to dig holes for the pasture posts. Katy's hair became entangled within the rotary shaft of the operating auger; resulting in total scalping of Katy's head, the loss of her forehead, one eyebrow and both ears.
Katy was taken by Medevac that tragic day to MCV/VCU Critical Care Hospital in Richmond, Virginia where she remained hospitalized for two months. She has undergone five surgeries thus far to reconstruct the cranium; the longest being sixteen hours in length. Katy has many more surgeries and years of reconstruction ahead of her. Due to the in depth trauma and loss specific anatomy, Katy will most likely be traveling throughout the United States for specialty care.
Katy lives in Dinwiddie County Virginia with her identical twin Taylor, and her parents Russell and Melissa Daniel. Katy has been an Inspiration and Warrior during this trying time, given the life changing trials she faces daily. Said Melissa Daniel She continues on through doubt's and failures, most of the time with a smile. Though its painful, she gives all the determination and courage within her. She starts every day with a new hope, and has Faith for better days ahead.
As many of you may know, Dinwiddie is well known for many things; among them Virginia Motorsports Park. The Dina Parise Racing team has, for many years, considered VMP and Dinwiddie a 'second home . We have been going to VMP for so long, we consider everyone one there family to us. Said Dina Parise We met our crewmember Butch in 2009 when he worked the staging lanes. He is now part of our family and our go to guy.
When the Parise's became aware of Katy's situation they felt they needed to get involved. We feel as if it is our community. Said Parise. Not wanting to invade the privacy of the family, Parise called longtime friend and WTVR CBS 6 Reporter, Wayne Covil who had been covering Katy's story exclusively. He assisted Parise in beginning the process of getting the fundraiser off the ground.
The Fundraiser: For those of you familiar with DPR you are aware the team is no stranger to the charity/fundraising world! This fundraiser for Katy is no ordinary fundraiser! Katy's spirits will be lifted by of course donations being made, but along with each donation a #KATYSTRONG decal will be placed on Stella (the Cadillac) to show support. This will coincide with Dina Parise competing in the Xtreme Pro Mod category, driving her famed Cadillac Stella , at the NMCA Super Bowl at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL. July 29-31.
For those who donate, there is also the opportunity for schwag to be won! Lastly, someone's face will take a ride IN Stella at the NMCA Super Bowl race at Route 66! Be sure to donate, and it could be you!
How this will work:
Donations: (Please read carefully)
Donations can be made to the Katy Daniel Go Fund Me Page:
** Visit: https://www.gofundme.com/23d2hmk **
- In honor of each Donation DPR will put a #KATYSTRONG Decal on Stella
- Each Donation will enter you in a drawing. Winner will be picked at random.
- When donating on the Go fund Me Page, leave your name, and use #KATYSTRONG/DPR in comments to be entered.
- *Drawing to be held Thursday July 28, 2016 at 12:00PM CST*
- If your name is selected, you will receive: Schwag from DPR and (DPR marketing partners) Aerospace Components and Car Chix.
- Be sure to pass this along to everyone you know! Let's all be #KATYSTRONG and support this amazing girl!
- If you are attending the NMCA race at Route 66 in Joliet, IL and would like to make a donation, have no fear! Please come see DPR on the Manufacturers Midway! That is where our pit is located. We will be collecting donations for #KATYSTRONG throughout the event.