Thanks to a “GoFundMe”campaign, the young American Tornado Alicia Black can continue to dream of her career as a professional tennis player.
The young lady with the sonorous name finally seems to see light at the end of the tunnel.The 19-year-old has been suffering from a hip injury for some time now.But Tornado had long lacked the financial resources to finance the operation in Philadelphia.To be exact, the surgery costs about 40,000 US dollars – 16,000 US dollars for the operation plus 24,000 US dollars for rehabilitation.
Former number three in the world among junior women (2014) had to put her professional career on hold for the time being and tried to raise money by working as a tennis coach – in vain.But with the help of other people, the money for the young American woman was collected.
Strangers?Yes, because Black started a “GoFundeMe”campaign.This was used to donate an unspecified amount of money to the OP via the Internet.Not uncommon, but the feedback for the young star was overwhelming.After just two days, more than 13,000 US dollars were donated.
“I have received so much support over the past few weeks that was incredible.Many of my friends told me to try GoFundMe and the support was overwhelming,”said the 19-year-old New York Times.
At first, however, Black did not want to accept the help of others and found the money himself:”I am not the type of person who would ask others for money,”the American admitted.
After only one and a half months after the campaign was launched, the courage to go public had paid off.The necessary funds have already been raised and “Tornado” can undergo hip surgery.
Afterwards, she wants to get back into professional training and continue working on her dream as a tennis pro:”First of all, I have to regain my fitness, which I haven’t been able to work on for a long time.But I’m not afraid of it, because I’ve been playing tennis all my life,”Black said.