Guardian Angel Motorsports Daytona 24H fundraiser

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

18 January, 2011--Samantha's Hope is off to a great start in 2011, as we move forward in our campaign to help thirteen-year-old Samantha Ashabranner recover from the car crash that she was in two years ago.

The tragic accident took her mother's life and left Samantha with serious facial scaring. Samantha's Hope has been joined by Guardian Angel Motorsports in their effort to help Samantha achieve a full recovery. A full-scale fund raising effort will be launched at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

So far, Samantha's Hope has reached 25% of their financial goal to raise $100,000 to go toward Samantha's healing. Samantha had her first facial surgery January 11, 2011 at the Halifax Hospital, by Dr. Scott Loessin.

The surgery went very well and Samantha is doing great! Two skin grafts were completed in the surgery as well as the removal of some glass that has been in her face since the accident. Two more surgeries will be required in the future.

Samantha and her grandfather Sam attended the "Roar Before the Rolex 24" test days at Daytona International.

Samantha met many racers, team owners, and some important people in the GRAND-AM and NASCAR world so she was very excited about the visit. She is a darling girl who has had a great deal to contend with. Samantha was delighted to see the "Samantha's Hope" wristbands that were being distributed at Daytona. Also present for testing was Samantha's bear along with hundreds of little teddy bears with "Samantha's Hope" printed on each bear's sweater. Samantha really enjoyed seeing people receive and enjoy the little teddy bears.

Samantha plans on being at the 24 Hours of Daytona with her Grandparents (Sam and Sharon Dunlap) and her brother, Will. At the 24-hour race more bears, wristbands and "Samantha's Hope" decals will be available. We hope to get as many race cars as possible in the 24 event to carry the "Samantha's Hope" decals.

I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to support Samantha already, the teams who were so welcoming this weekend, and especially Shelley Taylor, Sandy Pijot and Mic Van Moltke for being so supportive and helpful in this effort. Everyone's support means so much and hopefully we can keep making a positive difference in this young girl's life.

Stay tuned for further updates and please visit www.samanthashope.com

Love and light,

Terrye