Proceeds from Monday's Men's Soccer Game To be Donated to Abby Guerra Donation Fund

University of Evansville sophomore soccer player Abby Guerra and four of her friends, all graduates of Ironwood High School in Glendale, went on a weekend trip to Disneyland. On their way home, about 50 miles outside of the Valley of the Sun on Interstate 10, a tire blew out and their SUV rolled.

On July 18, the day of the accident, Abby’s family was told that she had died at the scene. One week later, however, her family was advised that there had been a medical mix-up and she was, in fact, alive and in a bed at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. It was her best friend, Marlene, who had died at the scene.

The agony Abby’s family experienced could have been avoided if her family had been able to view the body at the Medical Examiner’s Office. It requested to do so every day, but each time its requests were denied. Her parents now are asking the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office to immediately revise its policy and allow bodies to be viewed within 24 hours.

Abby, meanwhile, is fighting for her life. A website, www.abbysfightforlife.com, has been created so family, friends and the media can get updates on her condition, as well as information about upcoming fundraising efforts.

One of those efforts will be at the men’s soccer game between defending Pacific West Conference champion Grand Canyon University and Saint Martin’s University at 8:15 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6 at the GCU Soccer Field (34^th Avenue and Camelback Road). In lieu of purchasing tickets, supporters are asked to make a donation to the Abby Guerra Donation Account at Wells Fargo Bank. All donations made at the game will be deposited into the account.

“Abby participated in the Arizona Youth Soccer Association, and being a former president of AYSA and longtime coach I believe we should take every opportunity to help in unfortunate tragedies such as this,” GCU men’s soccer Head Coach Petar Draksin said. One of Abby’s cousins played for GCU’s women’s soccer team during Draksin’s tenure with that program. “We encourage as many AYSA coaches, players and families as possible to join us for this game and the opportunity to help Abby’s family.”

Those who are unable to attend the game are asked to send their donations to Abby’s Fight for Life, 3039 W. Peoria Ave. #102-145, Phoenix, AZ 85029.

Abby’s family also asks that people contact their local hospitals, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office and ask that their policies be revised so that no other families have to go through the horrible nightmare that it has had to endure.

Abby, 19, made an immediate impact for the Aces in midfield last season despite being one of the final additions to the roster. She earned a place in the starting lineup during preseason practice and played in 18 matches, 17 of which she started. She finished fourth on the team in goals (4) and points (5). She is majoring in nursing at Evansville.

At Ironwood, she was named first-team all-region and second-team all-state as a senior. She recorded 45 goals and 22 assists, helping lead Ironwood to one state title and one second-place finish. She also played for the club team AzFC 90 Hammers.

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Grand Canyon University Athletics

Proceeds from Monday's Men's Soccer Game To be Donated to Abby Guerra Donation Fund

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