Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor To Benefit From Topgolf Event

TAMPA, FL ? Topgolf will host its 2023 Hope Classic TopGolf Fundraiser Sunday from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Topgolf venue, 10690 Palm River Road.

The event will benefit Hope Heals the Brain, a nonprofit organization that is raising money for the medical, therapy and home care expenses of three women with traumatic brain injuries including Queena Vuong, the survivor of a brutal attack at the Bloomingdale Regional Library in 2008.

Registration is at 4:30 p.m. with dinner and golf at 5 p.m. and an awards ceremony and silent auction that includes two nights at the Don Cesar, an in-home private chef, a golf club fitting and a handyman for a day at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $400 for a sixsome, $75 for an individual and $30 for dinner only. Register here.

On April 24, 2008, two days after her 18th birthday, Queena was a high school senior, full of hope and possibilities as she looked forward to graduating and heading on to the University of Florida on a full academic scholarship.

That evening, she was in her car returning books to the library drop box when she was grabbed, raped, brutalized and left for dead.

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• Fundraiser Set For Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor
• 5 Years Later: Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor Celebrates 23rd Birthday

The attack resulted in a traumatic brain injury that left Queena unable to walk, see or speak.

Her mother, Vanna Nguyen, chronicles the events surrounding her daughter's attack and road to recovery in her book titled, "The Life She Once Knew: The Incredible True Story of Queena, the Bloomingdale Library Attack Survivor."

Nguyen, who endured her own journey to survive in her homeland during the Vietnam War, also frankly discusses her own struggles to provide her daughter with the therapy she needed to regain some mobility and speech, and her spiritual and emotional struggle in deciding whether to let go of her anger and forgive the man who left her daughter a shell of the woman she once was.

In the years since the attack, the family, including Queena's sister, Anna Donato, have faced more than their fair share of tragedy and pain, but have also experienced times of great joy and laughter, gratitude for the small improvements Queena has made, a renewed sense of hope following the birth of Anna's son, Giorgio two years ago, and enduring love and faith, which has carried them through their darkest moments.

"We choose to be happy, no matter what's going on in our life," Donato said.

Donato went on to found Hope Heals the Brain to continue raising funds and awareness for families and individuals affected by traumatic brain injury.

Those unable to attend Sunday's event are encouraged to follow Queena's progress through her website, Join Queena.

"The Life She Once Knew" is available through these retailers:

• Amazon.com
• Booksamillion.com
• Barnesandnoble.com
• Christianbook.com
• Bookbub.com

To purchase an autographed copy, contact Nguyen at vannablue9@yahoo.com.