Welcome to my online fundraiser!After my crash at Red Bull Rampage 2013 I experienced complications with my insurance and was denied coverage. It's been an ongoing battle for the past year, and the time has finally come where I need to reach out to the bike community for some support. I currently owe nearly $40,000 in medical bills. More details can be found on my website:
www.markmatthews.ca I am offering a variety of product provided by Knolly Bikes, iXS, Smith Optics, Chromag, SR Suntour, Dissent Labs, Spank, Camelbak, and more! Anyone who donates is eligible to receive something.
Win a brand new Knolly Chilcotin Frame, in the size of your choice! (shock not included)
SR Suntour RUX Downhill Fork
Get ready to shred the dirt jumps with this Chromag Bikes kit
iXS Sports keep you safe when unsafe things are happening.
A variety of gear from Smith Optics
Compression wear from Dissent Labs
A nice selection of stuff from Camelbak
Clothing packs from Pinkbike
Rules: 1. Make a donation by purchasing an entry under "
Buy Now" at the bottom of this page or my
website ($5 minimum).
2. Scroll to the bottom of the fundraiser page and drop me a message. You can also message me from my
Pinkbike Account.
Enter your name, email address, and put "
Markymath Fundraiser" as the subject. In the message, briefly describe why you want to win something. The best and/or funniest answers will be chosen!
This is open to anyone worldwide and the prizes will be shipped out to the winners. The winners will be announced in the new year and contacted before hand.
I would like to give an extra special thanks to my sponsors for the gear, and to
Jer Buck for building the website. Good luck everyone and thanks for your support!
Paypal issue has been fixed, thanks for your generosity!
That said I have no problem kicking down some $$'s to help a rider in need.
The video a few months back of Mark describing his comeback was very inspirational. - www.pinkbike.com/news/ixs-mark-matthews-rebuilt-video-2014.html
They spend more on some silly paintjob for a car than this...
Red Bull Inc. are without shame to leave the athletes who keep them in the headlines/profit in this situation, I can't believe they don't organise blanket medical cover for all competitors as a matter of course. cheapskates!
dont buy their product till they give something back to those who put them where they are!
Wishing you a full and swift recovery Mark
responsibility and common sense should be mandatory for Big Insurance Co. Ltd...
The problem is that this kind of insurance (a proper one) is really expensive, and most athetles cannot afford it, and most sponsors are not willing to pay it either.
This point would probably have to be regulated at international level by UCI. And of course, the one who doesn't have the proper insurance must not compete. It seems quite logical to me.
Even though they are pretty cheap ( I can say with experience and perhaps the film crew did get more $$'s but that's sad as generally crews shooting for RB get paid well below the going industry rate) you can't hold RB responsible for paying his bills as the title sponsor at an event. He's not one of their athletes.
RB does amazing stuff to promote and legitimize the actions sports we all love. Rampage alone has brought MTB to the attention of the masses which I think is a great thing.
I just thought it would be cool for his personal sponsors to help him out as he's clearly in a bind due to unfortunate events.
Aside from that let also not let this discussion cloud the fact that Mark NEEDS $$'s so don't forget to kick in some money for him. Every bit helps and adds up.....
But in addition to speculate I also bring some points of interest. Don't you think the subject of insurance in extreme sports should be strongly regulated? Don't you think pro riders should demand mandatory insurance controls of UCI, as in the case of dopping tests?
Now, as it turns out, Redbull is responsible for all. that's not going to happen. Redbull is in this business.... guess what for? Yah, right...... just for making good money.
Ownership should be taken by Red Bull as the company who is directly profiting by allowing riders to take such high risks under its own banner. They should be the ones to provide cover when no insurer can be reasonably expected to pay out.
(edit - Mark, thankyou for doing what you do to keep us meer sofa-warriors entertained. Someone, either your sponsors or the event organisers should sort you out for the lengths you go to to promote their brands. Maybe us too)
Strangely enough, MTBiking insurance are managed through the Spanish Climbing and Mountain Federation, along with insurance for climbling, ski mountaneering or hiking.
Although I have to pay a small extra amount of money for my biking insurance in practice, with this system, hikers (the least risky activity by far) are paying my crazy things on my bike or on the wall. But, on the other hand, I'm also paying the crazy things of expeditions to the Himalayas (the most risky activity by far).
The Internet has enough smartass nerds who insult the people who take risks with their know-it-all attitude.
At least with these sports where this discussion can come about, the community involved in these sports are able to help out and get people through!
the vast bulk of their profits now comes from "Red Bull Media House", the drinks business is a small sideline in comparison
You do realise the drinks are just a tiny bit of how redbull make their billions right ?
In the 30 seconds it just took you to read this red bull sharted out $40,000. Yes I'm sure they make athletes sign a waiver but they should provide healthcare to the athletes that compete in these events.
Boo...
Red Bull isn't an athlete's mommy and it has absolutely no obligation at all in paying for the medical bills of it's competitors, except maybe for its own "RedBull athletes".
Red Bull offers athletes the unmatched opportunity to compete on the highest level, while having the best media coverage and marketing machinery there is - and therefore providing the athletes a reach they could never ever achieve without them.
This means athletes can attract new sponsors and achieve bigger publicity, which again means they can earn a better living.
This is what Red Bull is about, and like someone said before, the athletes take their chances at their own risk and expenses.
Nobody asks the UCI to pay for injured Racers. Nobody asks the Formula1 to pay for injured Racers. Nobody asks the A.S.O. to pay for the dead and injured Racers of Rally Dakar. But EVERYBODY asks Red Bull to pay for everything?
Use your brains, folks! You should be thankful for what Red Bull has to offer.
The only thing Red Bull is responsible for is that the athletes are provided with on the spot health care and I guess they did their homework in that respect.
Btw I am in no way affiliated with Red Bull.
But let's be clear, there is a HUGE difference however between a governing body (UCI) and Red Bull (for profit company hosting events to promote the brand). These events are commercials for the brand. As such, they should be able to provide continuing coverage for the athletes who are injured "acting" in the commercials.
Also, I was not saying that it wasn't eligible for red bull to support injured athletes, but my point was that everybody seemed to think that it was red bull's responsibility to do so which it is obviously not. Therefore I simply don't agree with all the boycott bullshit, even though i never drink that stuff anyway.
In the end it is still occupational hazard for the athletes and therefore they, or rather their management if present, are/is responsible for adaequate insurance.
What people seem to forget is, that there actually is a bad guy in this particular case... it's just not red bull, but the actual insurance company itself that refused to pay for what it was meant to pay. This makes me wonder why the majority of people on here is to blame red bull. It doesn't make sense.
I paid an additional premium to make this covered all of my potential situations, both for immediate medical (which the NHS here in the UK generally covers, but for overseas evacuation) and more importantly for long term disabilities like spinal injury, including loss of earnings.
I would advise any rider to look at their cover properly, and if unsure, employ a legal advisor for a few hours to make sure its 100% watertight. Its too late once injured...
Then stand there helplessly as they remove themselves from the MTB industry. Remove sponsorship for athletes, remove funding for film projects, remove live coverage of world cup events, funding for events, prize money...etc.
Millions from these events? Don't you realise how small the MTB industry is?
They haven't done anything for fans of the sport, they've backed athletes and events that can generate good advertising for their brand. It's just a coincidence that this sometimes benefits us as fans. They're not doing it for us, and when it doesn't make financial sense for them to be involved they'll take off anyway.
sorry mate - it is not the insurance company that is the bad guy. the normal sports insurance is not what should be used for extreme sport events. there are special insurances (even local races) and those are the ones who should cover events like that. the "normal" sports woman/man could otherwise not afford one of thos insuraces.
for red bull it would not be out of the ordinary to set up a fund where injured riders from those events could get money. with the wings for life fund they clearly show that they care about health, but it should be possible for a company that big to provide treatment for injured riders.
have a look at "20 seconds of joy" featuring Karina Hollekim - red bull does care about athletes, but that filmed example should not be the only one.
Yes, the insurance company is at fault here as also stated by M. matthews himself. Just read it. The insurance company evaluetes every client rigorously beforehand and they decided to gladly take his money, but at the same time they refused to come up for costs they were paid to cover in case of injury. I can't believe we are even arguing about this, it's SO obvious. If they didn't agree with his job or the risks he was taking, they are not to take his money in the first place - it's as simple as that.
Claiming the reason for them to not pay was that he didn't inform them before surgery is the cheapest trick, ever. How the f#ck is he going to call the insurance company if he knocked himself out in a hard crash?
Besides, as you already stated yourself, Red Bull seems to care about its own athletes. You obviously still fail to realize that M.M. is not a Red Bull athlete, whereas Karina Hollekim has Red Bull all-over herself.
I think we have to help a brother out here!
Just a thought. talk to an actual insurance agent obviously...
Most only kick in after your primary insurance is exhausted or in this case not utilized at all. Something to consider.
All the best in your fund raiser. I'm in.
His sponsors could really help out here in my opinion. Let's help a brother out.
Obamacare passed without a single republican vote. Democrats could have passed a bill declaring war on Imaginationland and it would have passed.
The healthcare industry is the 2nd most socialized industry in the USA.
And on that note, I donated. No one has the right to post anything on this article without donating first.
Welcome to the US
You went all political on a good will fundraiser.
Read your contracts all. Get well MM and good luck.
Welcome to the US
@maroni & ustemuf: 11 broken bones, complete AC separation, collapsed lung, 6 days in hospital with around the clock care, one surgical procedure, countless x-rays a CT scans and numerous visits with medical consultants = €450. Ever considered moving to Europe?
In all seriousness, I simply can't believe this event is allowed to take place without the riders having adequate insurance. I'm know I'm the not the only one at watches this years event thinking 'someone is going to die doing this one day' and then what? Redbull and the event organisers, personally owe it to the athletes and their families to make sure they're covered.
mx298 - Some Canadians come to the US for things like knee surgery because they're wealthy or have coverage in the US and would rather have it done here than waiting months to have it done for free in Canada. Personally, Id rather wait 5 months to get my ACL fixed for free, rather than have it done next week and spend the next 3-5 years paying it off. It has nothing to do with quality of care.
jrocksdh - I never made any comment towards the AHA so why you're jumping onto that, I have no idea. Regardless, it is a fact that it was Nixon and the Republican party that instituted the privatized healthcare system we see today.There's even tape of Nixon in the White House discussing the system with his cronies and they're laughing about how filthy rich its going to make them and their buddies.
Regardless of what party you associate yourself with, that's an undeniable fact that I felt needed to be stated since its directly the reason why this and other fundraisers have to take place. Oh and fun fact, if you do get a massive bill from the hospital, keep in touch and be honest about your situation and how you cannot pay them back. They will negotiate with you and will lower your bill. Hospitals would rather get some money from you than nothing at all.
Whew, spent way too much time on that. Good luck Mark and to everyone who donated. That is an insane amount of prizes they're giving away.
There's a reason the Republicans have been fighting tooth and nail to stop health care reform. All they care about is keeping the cash cow system they set up.
Straight from the horse's mouth: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QkgUkM0o6Q
above quote starts @1:18
not to get political, but aspects of the canadian system suck too. mainly insanely long wait times, even to get a family doc now. 6 months in some places.
Red Bull didn't provide at least SECONDARY insurance for the competitors?!?!?!?
I've NEVER heard of this before!
This is/was a MULTI-MILLION $$, TELEVISED EVENT!!!!!
I road raced motorcycles for 12 years, and EVERY sanctioning body at LEAST provided secondary insurance.
I remember when the good 'ole state of Kalifornistan decided insurance carriers could deny injuries from hazardous activities, and magically after that, my injuries were from gardening(primarily) and falling down the stairs.
Still, I would think the promoter and sponsors would be on the hook in a BIG way here.
Someone could be high on crack and break into your house, and if they injure themselves in the process, they could still sue you.
Something is REALLY wrong here.
BTW, nice to see his multi-million-dollar sponsors pitching in what....MAX $1000 in product(which is tax deductible) each.
Waivers NEVER cancel out state/federal law(s). I imagine in this case, the participant isn't pursuing legal recourse simply because he knows any future dealing(s) with Red Bull(and probably ANY big-name sponsor) would be non-existent.
In any case, Red Bull AND his sponsors should be ashamed and embarrassed.
He's been reduced to asking for fricken DONATIONS over the internet, and DESPITE some of his sponsors being worth 10's and HUNDREDS of MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, not ONE of them stepped up for his $40k hospital bills.
Isn't this televised on NBC, and/or that NBC/Universal cable sports channel?
If so, he could also haul their ass(es) into court as well.
I wonder if they're aware that an athlete with which they USED to make(possibly) millions in advertising $$ off of(hour show x what...$50k/30-second spot? I have no fricken idea..) has needed to solicit donations from the public via the internet to pay for his medical bills for an injury incurred while PERFORMING in THEIR event?
I might send emails to at least his big(ger) sponsors, and ask them how they sleep at night knowing they could've paid his bills without so much as putting a freaking DING in their advertising budget, but chose to 'SPONSOR' his solicitations of donations from the public instead.
The more I think about it, the more this pisses me off. They REAP the $$$ benefits of his risking his fricken life, but when that risk turns to reality, they choose to donate what amounts to SHIT from their advertising/marketing kitties, instead of doing the right thing and STEPPING UP and taking care of the $40k.
I've seen the same relative thing happen with MX riders who've been so injured, their medical bills totaled in excess of HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, and even into the MILLIONS. In THAT context I fully understand and support the effort.
But screwing this guy(and instead expecting the public to take care of THEIR responsibilities) for a relative MEASLEY $40k is unconscionable
I know I'm no longer gonna be supporting ANY of these so-called sponsors, nor Red Bull
These companies you refer to have way smaller budgets than you think and they did not force him to enter. It was his dream to ride Rampage and I'm sure he'd be the first to admit it was by his own choice he tried the trick that injured him for his own satisfaction.
Freeride isn't wealthy or powerful enough (except maybe in some after school TV show?) to exert enough pressure to force him into doing it.
He's a guy who got caught out by a loophole in an insurance policy. Suck it up fella. It's just a bad break and people are taking time out of their slaving schedules to help him however they can.
Additionally, having run a motorcycle road racing team out of my own freaking shop(I had a small single-franchise dealership), I sponsored several riders in addition to those on my 'team', and I can tell you flat-out, ANYBODY that sponsors athletes where there's risk of bodily injury (or worse), covers their ASS with insurance, but that's a moot point anyway.
The bottom line is this: This is/was a MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR event. It wasn't some minor 'free-ride festival' in some-dude's backyard. Red Bull and NBC made/make MONEY off of it, or they simply wouldn't be doing it.
And Red Bull aren't idiots. They know the position they put themselves in with this event, and regardless of WHO actually sanctions it, Red Bull is its face, therefore they're liable as all hell-AND THEY KNOW IT.
Knowing what I do about these types of events, I still believe they had AT LEAST secondary insurance, if for no other reason than the state/county/city where it took place, WOULDN'T HAVE ISSUED PERMITS, lest THEY be held liable.
THE SINGLE BIGGEST check-off item when running one of these events, IS INSURANCE to cover your freaking A$$.
Whether this dude somehow slid through the cracks or whatever, I don't know. Al I DO know is he's been reduced to seeking money from the fan base to cover his injuries, and I can't believe the sanctioning body and/or promoter(s) set up their participants for this to happen if/when they get injured.
Lastly, I also disagree with you're blaming the rider because HE made the effort that led to his injury.
You think Red Bull/NBC/His Sponsors would've been happier if he simply did a cross-up off the jump?
HELL NO!!
The good 'ole Canadian Socialized healthcare system might 'cover' everyone, but what good does it do when your Dr. appointment is set a YEAR later?
He'd get injured during a Sunday race, and his appointment (in Canada) JUST FOR THE MRI would be a year later.
Needless to say, he came down here for ALL his healthcare needs
I would however, imagine that Owen's(my buddy) troubles would be mirrored by other Canadians who injure themselves on a [semi] regular basis, so if you know any, might be worth it to ask.
Mind you this was back in the '90s and early 2000's. We're both very old now.
What... the... F?
Insurance companies were given the 'right' to refuse coverage to those who were injured while engaged in 'hazardous' activities(among other reasons) I wanna say back in the late-90's(at least here in Kalifornistan).
I road raced motorcycles at the time, and I shit you not, every time I was injured to the point of requiring medical treatment from then on, I was magically injured gardening, or climbing the stairs.
I wouldn't even ask your insurance co...If you don't require an ambulance picking you up at the scene, simply write on the form that you injured yourself while 'engaged' in some totally innocuous activity
Sent some $. Good luck
Stay away! I recommend BCAA for pro athlete insurance. They are awesome.
I'm seriously thinking about NOT watching next RR Rampage.
To clarify somewhat BCAA/CAA is the Canadian version of American Automobile Association (AAA)
They are great and very can provide very reasonable coverage. Surprised they will cover Rampage level
Hucking, that is great!
The only bad thing a young feller should pick up stateside is cheap beer and the clap,both easy to get rid of!
FYI, Every sporting event in history and the future has/will be an "enter at your own risk" deal. You have a free-will choice to participate in dangerous activity. Yes, it would be nice if sponsors helped out, but medical bills are expensive and sponsors pay you to stay healthy, not be broken.
Mark entered Rampage of his own free will but was butt f##ked by an assh#le in an office.....
MY MONEY SENT
Ride fast n rock hard Mark....
I was lucky my Insurance paid most of my bill, I hope it all works out for Mark Matthews
"This recipient is currently unable to receive money. Your purchase couldn't be completed There's a problem with the merchant's PayPal account. Please try again later."
I will check later.
Hopefully this problem be sorted out... then I could help you a "bit" with this @mmatthews !!
Good luck !
Markbayrock@shaw.ca
Would love to win something because I have 2 kids now and I'm not allowed to buy myself anything anymore...
Hope you raise all you need.
Good luck!
Sorry I cant help here....What about the 2 month old baby who needs a heart transplant but cant have it because the babies parents cant afford insurance or the medical bill? I know which one I would donate to...
The fact that they host or support events without providing a blanket coverage for all athletes involved in the competition is despicable. No way, no f*cking way they should pass it off to personal responsibility considering how much money they make from the associations.
Drink tastes like piss anyway. Go have a coffee.
Hope you get the money raised.
$$$$
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PAYPAL WHY DON'T you just take my money!!!!
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$$$$
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Paypal link not working, sorry
they interpreted it that $$$makes you do stupid things and thats mean risk is to height to pay for it.
www.pinkbike.com/news/risk-vs-reward-contest-insurance-2014.html
Seems to be some trouble with your paypal account?
Sad to hear this, hope everything will be sorted out!
velosurance.com
LET'S DO THIS PEOPLE!!!
Here's a note to people like you who try to make a political point based off of your personal financial "struggles" like feeding your kids... don't post up pictures of the multiple new cars you own inside the garage of your nice house that's alongside your 6k mountain bike. It makes you look like a complete jackass with no basis to make such a point.
But hey, with someone who blindly believes the BS they're fed by the political party they align with, I wouldn't expect anything less from that person but utter bullshit. Everything you've posted so far has been absolute crap based on straight up lies but thanks for donating and enjoy your MTB ride mid-morning on a weekday... because as we know, anyone who can afford to do all that must be really struggling to feed his kids.
Want to ride on community property on community-built trails? Sorry, those are are for community members only and you've made it abundantly clear that you're not part of it.
When I was 23 and racing bikes I never even considered extra insurance when I would travel to the US for big events (ABA BMX) and by the grace of God I never had an injury but I could have been in the same situation as Mark.
I'm sure you know everything though and wouldn't have had this situation happen to you.
@mmatthews donation sent!
Sure feels great to have that sense of security to rely on the community for support!
But man work it off & pay up,
Ain't throwing $ down cuz I rather spend it on my shit.
Enjoy your sinking ship.