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October 22, 2007

“Living Proof” speaker to warn about the danger of drinking and driving Oct. 23

As part of its 2007 – 08 Leadership Workshop Series, ULM’s Office of Student Life and Leadership will present "Living Proof" speaker Sarah Panzau Tuesday, Oct. 23 in Brown Auditorium at 7 p.m. This presentation is co-sponsored by the Campus Activities Board and Marsala Beverage Co.

On August 23, 2003, Sarah Panzau was in a near fatal car accident which changed her life forever. On the road, she was clinically dead and was given a 0 percent chance of survivability. Amazingly, she was stabilized and air lifted by helicopter to St. Louis University where she lived the next six weeks; two weeks in a coma and four weeks in intensive care and on a ventilator.

Panzau suffered from numerous fractures and lacerations. All totaled, she initially spent 77 days in the hospital. Those 77 days were just the beginning of many more hospitalizations for life-threatening infections and many more surgeries for the next year-and-a-half. After 30 surgeries, she is here to tell her story.

She was out with her so-called friends (the people she thought really cared about her) who let her get into her car with a blood alcohol level of 0.308. That is almost four times the legal limit in the state of Illinois.

Prior to her accident, Panzau only lived for today and had no direction in life. She now speaks to teens and young adults about drinking and driving, making good decisions, what is important in life, and the importance of parents and family. It is a presentation of courage, determination, and the celebration, that emphasizes making the right choices in life. Panzau’s presentation is not like any prevention lecture ever given.

For more information, visit Panzau’s website at: http://homepage.mac.com/shelhoude/iMovieTheater7.html.

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