Dana Drake, extreme adventurist and patient at Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR), has partnered with OCR to raise money for RamStrength ™ through his aerobatic wing walk attempt.
The attempt, which consists of Drake walking on the wings of his airplane and performing stunts mid-flight, will take place in Sequim, Wash. on August 29 and 30. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to support the Wing Walk, by making monetary pledges to RamStrength™, a local nonprofit that provides cancer survivors financial assistance.
“When I was young, my father would take my brother and me to airshows. During the shows, all the different sizes and shapes of airplanes are not what caught 6-year-old Dana’s eye; it was the aerobatic stunt pilots,” said Drake. “As the years progressed I traded my first bike in for dirt bikes, fast road racing bikes, skydiving and paddle boarding high water rivers which all lead to wing walking.”
Dana began training for wing walking in 2015 and continues to try new stunts during the planes aerobatic maneuvers each year. In 2017, Drake was one of four from the Michael Mason Wing Walking Academy who ever attempted “The Hang,” a stunt where the walker walks out onto the lower wing of a 1943 Stearman Bi-Wing plane, sits down, wraps his legs around the wing struts and leans backwards to hang upside down while 5,000 feet in the air.
“Each time I walk on the wing, I think how blessed I am to have lived such a healthy life.,” said Drake. “With the support of Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies, I am dedicating my Wing Walk to RamStrength , a cause that is very close to both me and the physicians at OCR.”
RamStrength™ is the only local non-profit that provides financial assistance for all types of cancer survivors in Northern Colorado. The non-profit provides assistance with rent payments, car payments and unforeseen auto repairs, monthly bills for utilities and groceries, transportation to and from chemotherapy appointments, medical insurance premiums, prescription or lab co-pays.
“One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Cancer is a devastating disease physically, emotionally and financially,” said Michelle Boyle, RamStrength™ Executive Director. “RamStrength does not want cancer patients to have to worry about the financial burden of the disease while they are battling for their lives. This is why we provide financial assistance for the basic needs of our local cancer patients. And we are so grateful for the support of this Wing Walk. For without the support of our local community we could not serve these patients.”
Dana, along with OCR, is asking for pledges and all proceeds will go directly to RamStrength™. To make a donation, visit http://www.orthohealth.com/supporting-ramstrength/.
“Patients like Dana Drake are one of the many ways Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies is able to unite with the community to support empowering causes like RamStrength™,” said Dr. William Biggs, Drake’s physician and spine surgeon at Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies. “We are very grateful for this opportunity and excited to cheer Drake on in Washington!”
About Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies
The 31 doctors at Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies are specialists in the medicine of motion. By providing orthopaedic, spine, sports medicine, concussion, and podiatry care, the physicians have helped thousands of adults and children accelerate treatment and recovery. Serving the residents of CO, WY, and NE since 1969, Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies has offices in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley with specialty-focused care. For more information visit https://www.orthohealth.com/.
Dana Drake during a Wing Walk.