Claudio

Help a polo player in need

As many of you may know, Brazilian-born polo pro Claudio Manfrin was severely injured in a motorcycle crash in Southern California over Memorial Day Weekend. Claudio suffered multiple broken bones as well as serious internal injuries and has been on life support for several days. At first, his prognosis was grim…..his doctors feared he would not survive his critical injuries. The wonderful news is that Claudio is strong and he is a survivor. He has been rallying each day in the hospital, much to the amazement and delight of his friends, family and the medical staff, and was taken off the respirator to breathe on his own. Although he faces many future surgeries and a long, painful rehabilitation, he is alive and recovering well. His indomitable spirit is helping him through the worst nightmare of his life.

Updates on Claudios condition

For updates on how Claudio is doing see the About Claudio page.

The Claudio Manfrin Benefit Fund

You can now raise awareness of Claudio's situation on Facebook & MySpace thanks to the Causes app. As the Ranch Manager and polo pro at Rancho Amistad Polo Club in Murrieta, Calif., Claudio has touched so many people, so many lives. He is a well known fixture at the Club and around the polo tournament circuit. His wide, easy smile is his calling card and earned him the nickname “Hollywood” by fellow player, Cary Burch. Off the field, Claudio is renowned for his awesome barbecuing skills, owing to his Brazilian heritage, and for being a kind and gentle soul – both with horses and their riders. His warmth, kindness, patience and generosity of spirit have benefited us all and we, his friends, have created this website and The Claudio Manfrin Benefit Fund as a special way to give back to Claudio in his time of need. Claudio is now facing an enormous mountain of medical bills as he embarks on his slow and painful recovery. We have created a special fund in his name at Bank of America to help raise money to pay for his medical care and to help ease his rehabilitation. Please donate today to help a friend and a fellow polo player in need.

How to help Claudio

Photography for sale: You can now help Claudio by purchasing Claudio Manfrin Benefit Fund polo tournament photography from Craig Hoyle Photography.
Craig Hoyle Photography is donating 50% of the profits Claudio. You can view the Tournament 1 gallery and the Tournament 2 gallery Silent Auction & Raffle: YTD Donations for Silent Auction and Raffle being held on July 5th, 2009, Poway Polo Club. If you cannot attend the tournament in Poway and would like tickets for the raffle, they are $5 each or $20 for 5, or would like to participate in the silent auction, contact Russ Sheldon via email: 1polonut@cox.net or mobile: 619-206-8344 More information available at PoloZone For information on how to donate to the Claudio Manfrin Benefit Fund please visit the Benefit Fund page.