Up-and-coming rugby league star Mikaela Lankowski is at risk of never feeling her limbs again after an on-field incident in which she was left with serious spinal injuries.
Lankowski, 23, was rushed to hospital after the incident in Queensland, Australia. The youngster was taking part in a local game between Dalby Diehards against the Gatton Hawks, according to Australian news reports.
A crowdfunder has been set up for the youngster, who faces a long road to recovery. According to a team-mate, who posted on the fundraising page, she "has the risk of losing all feeling in her limbs".
Team-mates, family and friends have come together to donate funds while uncertainty remains over the number of further surgeries the player requires. at the time of writing, more than 80 percent of the AU$10,000 (£5,263) has been raised.
According to 7News in Australia, Lankowski was transferred twice after first being taken to the nearby Dalby Hospital. After being taken to Toowoomba Hospital and subsequently to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, doctors are reported to have discovered a fracture and two breaks in three separate vertebrae in her back.
"Mikky is in high spirits but we wish her all the best for surgery and recovery," an Instagram post from Lankowski's club read. "Let’s all show a bit of our famous Dalby Rugby League Generosity for our girl!"
Sarah Milton, captain of Dalby Diehards, explained the situation on the crowdfunder. "On Sunday 12th May, a much loved member of our team Mikaela Lankowski was severely injured playing the game she loves, Rugby League," Milton began. "As most of us know her as Mikky she is one of the very hearts and souls of our team, she would give you the shirt off her back and now it is our turn to help her."
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"Mik was injured during a tackle gone wrong in our local footy comp," the captain continued. Mik has an unstable break to her neck in c5,6&7. The number of surgeries to fix these types of injuries at this stage is unknown.
"To follow the surgeries there will be a lot of physical therapy and she has the risk of losing all feeling in her limbs. This will put Mik out of work for a long time yet to come and with the cost of all of this and the bills that don’t stop she really needs some financial support.
"Mik would be the first person to put her hand up to take a run in this life for anyone she ever met. At 23 years of age she deserves to have a life without the worry of coming home to nothing. I would appreciate you take the time to donate all that you can and get Mik back on her feet.
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