TAPS Partners with Wounded Warrior Project and Vietnam Veterans of America to Increase Understanding of Toxic Exposure in the Military

Partnership Will Help Organizations Advocate and Assist Families Whose Loved One Died After Experiencing Symptoms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 28, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va. –The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) was recently awarded a grant by Wounded Warrior Project to launch an initiative aimed at increasing understanding of the impact of toxic exposures in the military and assist surviving family members whose loved one died after experiencing symptoms of that exposure.

The partnership, which also includes Vietnam Veterans of America, will seek to raise public awareness of the risks and effects of toxic exposure and ensure surviving families have access to available survivor benefits when their loved one dies as a result. While the initiative will focus on toxic exposure in the post-9/11 military, it will draw heavily on the knowledge, experience, resources and networks developed by Vietnam Veterans of America in its struggle to understand the effects of Agent Orange.

“We are so grateful for the support provided by the Wounded Warrior Project as well as their recognition of the increased impact of toxic exposure issues on the families of our nation’s fallen heroes,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS president and founder and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “The primary focus of our efforts within this initiative will be to ensure the families of military service members and veterans who have died as a result of illnesses related to toxic exposure are recognized, cared for and are able to receive all benefits they are entitled.”

To this end, TAPS will develop and curate a library of relevant legislation, medical studies, literature, reports, and other forms of media and research that are specific to the issue of toxic exposure in the military. This knowledge will enable TAPS to better educate the public about the needs of families whose loved one died due to resulting illnesses.

ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 70,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).