Wounded Warrior Project Hosts 2009 Family Caregiver Summit

Wounded Warrior Project Hosts 2009 Family Caregiver Summit Press Conference to be Held Tuesday, July21st. On Tuesday, July 21, at 11:00 A.M., Wounded Warrior Project will hold a press conference in the “Capitol Press Triangle” on the southeast steps of the Capitol inviting members of the press to meet with 20 family caregivers of our nation’s newest generation of severely wounded warriors. The event is part of the three-day 2009 Wounded Warrior Project Family Caregiver Summit being held July 19-22 in Washington, DC. Caregivers are gathering to discuss critical caregiver issues, meet with Members of Congress to urge bipartisan passage of urgently needed legislation creating a nationwide family wounded warrior caregiver program, and to meet with key DoD and VA officials. The press conference is being hosted by Congressman Tom Perriello, of Virginia’s 5th congressional district, but Members of both parties are invited to attend.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Tuesday, July 21, 11:00am: Following introductory remarks by Wounded Warrior Project’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Nardizzi, and one of the family caregivers, Congressman Perriello will address the assembled wounded warrior caregivers. Caregivers will be available for interviews. The Urgent Need for a Nationwide Wounded Warrior Caregiver Program. Many family caregivers are struggling to care for their veterans, often to the detriment of their own health, the depletion of their finances, the loss of jobs and health care, and the endangerment of the family unit due to the emotional and economic toll. The caregiver issue is WWP’s top legislative priority. The summit will enable participants to discover and propose solutions to the significant challenges faced daily by the caregivers of our nation’s most severely wounded veterans. During the numerous meetings and group sessions, the family caregivers will be given opportunities to define the issues within key areas of need and, if possible, recommend specific solutions. The end goal is to create sustainable change on behalf of all wounded warrior caregivers and to identify the key elements of permanent, comprehensive family caregiver support programs. The summit is being sponsored, in part, through the generous contributions of its signature sponsor, the HSC Foundation, and two other major sponsors, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. About Wounded Warrior Project:

Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP offers services and programs like benefits and career counseling, advocacy initiatives, and combat stress seminars to aid in the transition from hospital bed to an independent, productive life. Media Contact: Keith Hensley, 512-560-1884.

KEITH L. HENSLEY | Wounded Warrior Project | o: 202.558.4302 | c: 512.560.1884