Matt Collura had recently finished work toward an architectural degree and was looking for a job when the accident occurred. A fter surviving a near-fatal snowboarding accident, Matt Collura is on the road to recovery, and the people who love him are running to be by his side .
A 5K run/walk has been scheduled for Oct. 9 in Thompson Park to help raise money for costs associated with his catastrophic injuries.
Collura, 27, a graduate of Monroe Township High School, attended Boston College and had recently finished his studies toward an architectural degree at the New Jersey Institute of Technology when the accident occurred.
On March 9, while on a ski trip in Shawnee, Pa., Collura became separated from a friend and was later found injured and unconscious. His injuries included a broken wrist, several broken ribs, a broken eye socket, two collapsed, punctured lungs and a fractured skull. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Medical Center, where he remained in a coma for a month. He later spent months recovering in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at the Kessler Institute in West Orange.
A young Matt Collura accompanies his dad, Tony, during an early running event. Collura is now back home with his parents in Monroe, continuing his extensive recovery.
Proceeds from the race will help fund Collura’s recovery through the National Transplant Assistance Fund and Catastrophic Injury Program, a nonprofit organization that helps family and friends raise money for loved ones who have undergone transplant surgery or suffered a traumatic spinal cord or brain injury. The program was started in 2000 and helps patients raise money for uninsured medical expenses such as home health care, continued rehabilitation therapy, home modifications and accessible transportation.
“Few patients are able to afford all of the expenses associated with transplantation or catastrophic injury by relying only on insurance, savings or government assistance. Fundraising is an alternative financial resource for patients who face these lifelong financial challenges,” said Shannon McMonagle, NTAF communications coordinator.
Collura’s friends and family said his recovery has been described as “miraculous.”
Stacey Small, a friend, is leading the preparations for the October event. The two met during their time at Boston College and have remained close ever since. Collura introduced Small to his childhood best friend, Kyle Bossard of Monroe, hoping he could bring two of his dear friends together.
“Although I had total confidence inMatt in general, I definitely questioned his matchmaking abilities, and told him so,” Small said. But to her surprise, Small fell in love with Bossard and plans to marry him next summer, with Collura by their side as best man.
When Small and her fiancé found out about Collura’s accident, they thought a 5K event would be a great way to gain support for his recovery.
“Running is something that Matt loves, but it’s also representative of who he is — a person with great determination, drive and commitment,” Small said.
Last fall, Collura ran the Rock ’n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon, and he was training for a full marathon when he was injured.
“Matt’s dad is a runner, and Matt followed in his footsteps,” Small said. She made note of a touching photo that remains a symbol of hope, showing Collura as a little boy running alongside his father, Tony.
Tony Collura said his son’s recovery has been incredible, but is far from complete.
“He seems to be improving little by little; the improvements haven’t stopped coming,” he said. “We are very hopeful.”
Matt Collura’s strong spirit has kept his attitude positive as he gets better.
“We as a family feel he is going to continue improving until he is recovered,” Tony said .
At this point in his recovery, Matt Collura is able to walk with assistance. He has no use of his left hand, and he also cannot speak clearly yet, as a result of the brain injury, his father said.
Several patients who were in the same unit at the Lehigh Valley Medical Center have been known to make extraordinary recoveries, so much so that the area has been deemed The Miracle Room.
“They are hoping to place Matt among that group, and he hasn’t let them down yet,” his father said. “He continues to improve every day.”
Tony was thrilled to hear that many of the nurses who have helped his son over the past several months will be at the 5K event to show their support for an incredible patient.
“They basically saved his life,” Tony said. “They all know him and are looking forward to seeing him.”
Collura did not get to know them during his stay, but he knows they are coming and is excited to finally see them, his father said.
“He can’t wait to give them a hug,” Tony said .
Matt Collura’s family and friends wouldn’t have guessed that he would be able to attend the race and see how much he is loved and supported.
“We had no idea that he would make such an amazing recovery, so now the event is both a fundraiser and a celebration of how far he has come,” Small said. “He will be at the race to see firsthand how much support he has.”
People can sign up for the event by visiting www.Active.com and searching for “Matt Collura 5K Run/Walk.” The entry fee of $30 includes participation in the run/walk, a race T-shirt and the post-race barbecue. The race will begin at 10 a.m., with check-in starting at 9 a.m. Registration won’t be available on race day, so participants will need to sign up in advance.
Local businesses are sought to sponsor the event. Those interested in becoming a sponsor may email Stacey Small at [email protected].
Donations may also be made directly to Collura’s NTAF fundraising campaign by visiting www.NTAFund.org and searching for “Matt Collura.”