On December 1, 2015, we held our first Giving Day to help raise money to build treatment centers for our service members. Intrepid Spirit centers were previously operational at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. But thanks to your donations, we opened two more in 2016!
Intrepid Spirit Centers cost approximately $11 million to construct and are equipped with the latest in brain technology and treatment facilities, spanning 25,000 square feet. In 2016, we opened two new centers at Fort Hood, TX and Fort Bragg, NC. “Having an Intrepid Spirit center on Fort Bragg is a valuable asset,” said Col. Lance Raney, commander, Womack Army Medical Center. Equipped with the latest brain technology gear, both facilities will be able to serve around 200 soldiers at a time.
According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 352,619 service members have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) since 2000. However, David A. Winters, president of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, emphasized that this statistic only includes those diagnosed; some estimates put the total number of TBIs closer to 600,000. “If TBIs are not diagnosed, then they are not treated,” said Winters. “The brain is the most complex organ in the body. If you break your arm, you get a splint for six weeks and you’re good. The brain isn’t that easy.”
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund empowers veterans on the road to recovery by using private donations to construct of state-of-the-art health care centers and provide rehabilitation services. “The Intrepid Spirit centers are playing an integral role for veterans on the road to recovery, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is honored to support them in these life-changing efforts.” said DAV Charitable Service Trust National Adjutant Marc Burgess.
Along with Military Family Appreciation Month, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund will participate in Giving Tuesday on November 29. This Giving Tuesday, Be A Hero: #Give2Heroes. If you aren’t able to donate this year, get involved in a different way!
Posted on November 21 2016 in Blog