Wounded Warrior Project Announces Support for TAPS and Vietnam Veterans of America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 14, 2019
ARLINGTON, Va. – Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) announces a grant and collaborative partnership with Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to raise awareness and collect data on the impact of toxic exposure on the long-term health of veterans. This $200,000 grant supports VVA and TAPS’ joint advocacy and tracking of toxic exposure illness among post-9/11 veterans. Many veterans of this generation have reported experiencing various illnesses resulting from exposure to contaminants on the battlefield such as burn pit smoke, depleted uranium, and industrial chemicals.
“Toxic exposure is one of our top policy priorities for 2019,” said WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington. “Working together with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and Vietnam Veterans of America will enable our collective legislative advocacy and provide resources to veterans and family members who have incurred an illness due to toxic exposure during military service. We’re proud to partner with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and Vietnam Veterans of America to learn more about this issue and ensure veterans’ health care needs are addressed.”
“We are profoundly grateful for the critical grant funding WWP has provided to TAPS,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder. “Over the past decade, TAPS has seen a dramatic increase in the number of deaths due to illness and cancers related to toxic exposures. These service members and veterans leave behind grieving families who deserve the same care and support all service members and veterans receive. Together with WWP and VVA, we will honor those who are ill and have died by caring for all those who they loved and left behind.”
“Though our war ended more than 40 years ago, we continue to battle for justice and answers for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic substances, which have been passed on to their families,” said John Rowan, VVA National President. “And now, tragically, post-9/11 veterans have been exposed to a range of biological and chemical toxic substances. Whether from burn pits emitting dioxin and other toxicants; from depleted uranium; or from toxicants yet to be identified, they are dying young from uncommon illnesses, and their children are sick as well. We cannot stand idly by as this newest generation of veterans is faced with the same culture of denial as they struggle to access health care and compensation from the VA. We are glad for the opportunity to work in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors to share our lessons learned and to advocate for our younger veterans and their families.”
To learn more about how these partnerships are transforming the way America’s injured veterans and military families are empowered, employed, and engaged in our communities, visit https://wwp.news/Newsroom.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rita Barry-Corke – TAPS Vice President of Media Relations, rita@taps.org, 202.588.8277
Mattison Brooks – Communications Specialist, Government & Community Relations, mbrooks@woundedwarriorproject.org, 202.969.1120
Mokie Porter – VVA Director of Communications, mporter@vva.org, 301.996.0901
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ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to more than 85,000 survivors of fallen military in the form of 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).
ABOUT WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more: http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.
ABOUT VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA
Vietnam Veterans of America is the nation’s only congressionally chartered veterans’ service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA’s founding principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” Because there is very little outreach to the men and women who served in the military, and because too many veterans succumb to diseases that can be traced back to their time in service, VVA created the Veterans Health Council (VHC) to inform all generations of veterans and their families about health issues related to their military service, as well as the VA healthcare and benefits available to them. Additionally the VHC educates healthcare professionals about the health issues associated with military service; and, in concert with other organizations, develops educational programs and materials which emphasize the unique healthcare needs of veterans.