Jul 2, 2007 9:01 pm US/Mountain
Molly Bloom Is Ready To 'Bloom Again'
Written By Vicki Hildner, CBS4 Special Projects Producer
Prepared for cbs4denver.com by Matthew J. Buettner, Web Producer.
DENVER (CBS4) ―
An accident put Molly Bloom, 18, in the headlines one year ago. On prom night, the limo Molly Bloom was riding in rolled over her. Her leg and pelvis had to be amputated. She nearly lost her life.
"I would have much rather have lived my life without any accident and without being in the news," Molly Bloom said. "But now that it happened, I have made a lot of good out of it."
At the time, the community rallied to support the Bloom family, holding countless fundraisers. Molly's three relay teammates from East High School organized a 24 hour long swim-a-thon that raised thousands of dollars for Molly's extra health care expenses.
Now, Molly is ready to give back to the community that helped her. With her sister, Katy Casper, and three other friends, she has organized a foundation called "Bloom Again." The foundation will provide assistance for seriously ill or injured athletes to help them return to athletic endeavors.
The first Bloom Again event will take place on July 13. The foundation calls it the "Second Annual Swim-A-Palooza." For 24 hours, young swimmers will fill Skyline Pool to raise money for Molly's foundation.
"We're hoping to use Molly's spirit to help other athletes," foundation organizer Renee de Chadenedes said.
Molly was a competitive swimmer for most of her young life. When asked if swimming saved her life, she does not hesitate.
"Yes," she said with a nod. "Because if I weren't in as good as shape as I was, I don't think I would have survived."
Now friends of Molly Bloom will dive back in -- to raise money for other athletes who need help returning to the sport they love.
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