Prosthetic Running Leg For Girl, 10, Focus Of Sudbury Fundraiser

SUDBURY, MA — A Wayland-based nonprofit that raises money to buy specialty prosthetics will hold its annual fundraiser in Sudbury this month, with a focus on a recent effort to buy a running leg for a local girl.

The Who Says I Can't Foundation is trying to raise $25,000 during the event, which will help the organization buy athletic prosthetics for several people in the upcoming year.

The nonprofit recently purchased a running leg for Emma Collier, a Rockland 10-year-old who was born without a tibia, and who later had her leg amputated below the knee. Her insurance wouldn't cover the $21,000 cost of the special running leg.

Collier began running after her watching her sisters, and because she wanted to participate in gym activities like tag. She also aspires to play soccer.

The nonprofit was founded by Jothy Rossenberg, an author and entrepreneur who lost a leg at age 16 due to bone cancer, with the aim of getting amputees involved in sports. The nonprofit pays for prosthetics so adults and young people can participate in sports like sailing, surfing, skiing and swimming. Insurance companies only typically cover prosthetics used for walking.

The Friday fundraiser will be held at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury with food, entertainment and a cash bar. Kids under 12 can attend for free. Learn more and purchase tickets on the Who Says I Can't website.