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Benefit for Sheridan resident set for Saturday

Submitted Photo Frank and Sherri Giambra.

June 7 was Sherri Giambra’s birthday and her loving husband Frank, decided ice cream was in order after celebrating with a meal at Applebees earlier that day.

The weather was nice and the couple from Sheridan set off on a motorcycle ride. While driving through Smith Mills, however, a deer jumped out of nowhere — right into the path of the bike. The animal hit the front wheel and spun bodily into Sherri’s leg as she clung to her husband, whose efforts to control the bike were successful.

They were both relieved that the impact hadn’t broken her leg, seeing as she had just gotten over a recent knee surgery not long before and was excited to finally be returning to work. Thinking things were good, they moved on, only to have serious problems develop later that night.

At first her leg began to swell and heavy bruising formed. The pain became unbearable and a trip to the hospital was in order. The hospital concluded that she just had deep bruises, and that ice, elevation and rest would eventually solve the problem. Time wore on and the bruising became worse, went deeper and the leg swelled more.

On a second trip to the ER the hospital started her on antibiotics, ran some tests and sent her on her way. A third trip came about when a fever developed; the injury was so substantial that the blood within the bruise had died and her body was now attacking her own skin and muscle tissue. After four trips to four different emergency rooms in less than 24-hours, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) performed surgery to remove infected skin and muscle and it was while she was in recovery that the worst news of all came about, her father had died.

Since then, there have been several more emergency room visits and another surgery to remove even more infection. The constant need for medical supplies is a growing concern, along with hospital bills, visiting nurses, additional surgeries, and ER visits. Her husband Frank has tried his best to manage all that he can, but it’s getting to be too heavy of a load for him; especially since Sherri had been out of work earlier this year already.

Friends and family have organized a benefit to try and help the couple bounce back from some of these overwhelming trials. The benefit will take place on Saturday from 1-6 p.m. at the Sheridan VFW, 2556 Main Road, Silver Creek. There will be a Chinese auction, cash bar, bake sale, door prizes and food. Tickets are $15 presale, $20 at the door.

For more information on tickets and donations, call or text Ashlee at 785-7457 or Keith at 771-4794.

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