VOA challenges area physician practices to make a contribution to VA Puget Sound Fisher House and help build “a home away from home” for families of injured veterans. VOA recently made a $10,000 donation.
Members of the military who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those stationed with their families worldwide, must often travel great distances for specialized care at VA medical centers. The average length of stay at a VA medical center for a soldier injured in combat is nearly two months. Families of injured soldiers usually pay lodging fees in order to be close to their loved ones during hospitalization.
“It’s stressful enough to have a family member hospitalized when you live near the hospital. Imagine having to travel hundreds of miles to be by the side of a family member being treated for an injury received in combat,” said Dr. William Barrett, a joint replacement surgeon at VOA.
The Fisher House™ program began in 1990 and offers “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. No family pays to stay at a Fisher House™ and the homes are normally located within walking distance of a treatment facility or have transportation available.
There are currently 38 Fisher Houses nationwide with five more in construction, including the VA Puget Sound Fisher House scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.
“Last year, 20 families of soldiers injured in Iraq would have benefited had there been a Fisher House in Seattle,” said Cecile Bagrow, manager of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House.
This is in addition to the families of numerous other veterans undergoing cancer treatments, amputations and other medical treatments at VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Bagrow said.
“My husband served a year in Iraq,” said Dr. Susan Cero, a surgeon at VOA. “Thankfully he came home healthy. That’s not the case for many of our soldiers.”
As the holiday season approaches, the physicians and staff at VOA wanted to thank our men and women in uniform for the job they do and the sacrifices they make with a significant donation to the construction of VA Puget Sound Fisher House.
“We get to be home safe and happy with our families during the holidays while thousands of soldiers are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. VOA is proud to support soldiers and their families by donating to the Fisher House and we challenge other physician practices in the area to do the same,” Dr. Barrett said.
“Donations like the one from VOA will ultimately help make the difference in the lives of thousands of military families. We’re incredibly grateful,” Bagrow said.
For more information about the VA Puget Sound Fisher House or to accept VOA’s challenge and make a donation to help meet the humanitarian needs of our nation’s hospitalized military personnel, veterans and their families, visit www.fisherhousevaps.org. You may also call The Friends of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House at 206-277-3950.