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RecoverCare Joins with Operation First Response to come to the Aid of Wounded Soldiers and Their Families
New sponsorship program will enable Operation First Response to increase support of soldiers injured in Afghanistan, Iraq and other battle zones.
Operation First Response, the national non-profit that provides emergency and ongoing financial assistance to wounded soldiers and their families, announces a new corporate sponsorship with RecoverCare LLC, the leading distributor of wound care, bariatric and safe patient-handling equipment to healthcare facilities nationwide. In the immediate hours and days after a service member is wounded, Operation First Response provides a range of support starting with the delivery of a backpack with clothing, a handmade blanket, hygiene products and other essentials to the combat support hospital and making travel arrangements for the family to be reunited with their soldier at a stateside medical facility. Depending on the family’s needs, Operation First Response can offer assistance with rent, utilities, groceries, vehicle payments and other basics while the soldier is receiving medical care, recovering and making the transition to civilian life.
“Recognizing Operation First Response’s unique ability to quickly provide direct aid to military families when they need it most, RecoverCare established the new donation program as a meaningful way to give back to the brave men and women who serve our country,” said RecoverCare Sr. Vice President Business Development Gary Romanik.
Operation First Response Founder and President Peggy Baker and RecoverCare Vice President Government Sales Brad Wicklas publicly announced the sponsorship at the Association of the U.S. Army Institute of Land Warfare Army Medical Symposium & Exposition held in San Antonio from June 27 - 30, 2011.
“When a company like RecoverCare steps up to help, it sends a powerful message to wounded soldiers and their families that there are people who care and honor their sacrifice,” said Baker. “RecoverCare’s generous support will help ensure our work can continue and expand.”
RecoverCare, which is headquartered in Louisville, KY and operates 158 service centers across the country, will donate a portion of its annual sales to military and veterans facilities to Operation First Response.
When a wounded soldier returns home the financial impact on the family can be devastating. The loss of combat pay and lost wages as spouses or parents take time off from jobs can put families into crisis as they struggle to pay for ongoing household expenses plus the added cost of travel to medical facilities. Operation First Response has the ability to fast track families into their program and help them avoid financial disaster.
On hand to speak about the impact Operation First Response has had in his recovery was CPL. Ronny Porta who suffered 5th degree burns in 2007 while serving with the Marines in Iraq. To date, he has 100 surgeries during which time Operation First Response has continued to assist him as he has healed and started preparing for his new career as a case worker helping other returning soldiers.
About Operation First Response
Founded in 2005, Operation First Response is a non-profit organization that provides emergency and ongoing financial assistance to all branches of wounded soldiers and their families. Services are provided from the onset of a service member’s injury or illness, throughout their recovery period and along their journey from military life to the civilian world. Operation First Response supports active duty service members and veterans who have been wounded, injured or are critically-ill. To request assistance or for more information, visit www.operationfirstresponse.org.
About RecoverCare
RecoverCare is the leading distributor of wound care, bariatric and safe patient-handling equipment and solutions to healthcare facilities nationwide. The privately-owned company serves acute care hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, hospice centers and home care patients. RecoverCare’s primary product lines include therapeutic mattresses for wound care, bariatric equipment for care of obese patients, specialty beds and patient transfer equipment for safe patient handling and negative pressure wound therapy equipment. The company also manufactures bariatric and “high-low” bed frames, safe enclosure bed systems and various other safe patient handling and bariatric equipment under its wholly owned Camtec division. For more information, visit www.recovercare.com or call 888-750-7828.