STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SoldierSocks, a non-profit foundation focused on helping veterans, announced today that the VA North Texas Health Care System is the next recipient of an Ekso Bionics™ suit (OTCQB:EKSO). The Ekso GT™ will help injured veterans walk again at the Dallas VA Medical Center, Spinal Cord Injury Center (SCI), which serves over 900 Veterans with spinal cord injury/disorder including 200 patients with multiple sclerosis in the southwest region. They will accept the suit in a donation ceremony in a prelude to Sky Ball festivities, on October 24, 2014 at 11:30 am in the Gallery room at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport, 4545 W. John Carpenter Freeway, Irving TX 75063. A special appearance will be made from SoldierSocks' first Ekso recipient, veteran Dan Rose, who will walk in an Ekso device with veteran Gary Linfoot, who also received an Ekso suit in part from Airpower last year. Additional attendees of note include Jim Palmersheim of American Airlines, Roman Palomares of Airpower Foundation and on hand to accept the donation will be Mr. Jeff Milligan, Director, VA North Texas Health Care System.
"Every day, members of the military put their lives on the line to help protect our country," says SoldierSocks co-founder Chris Meek. "When they return home, they are faced with the challenges of re-acclimating to civilian life. Additionally, some have been critically wounded or paralyzed in the line of duty. We are honored to be giving this suit to the Dallas VA which serves a large number of Veterans. The Southwest is a new region for us to break into and we plan to continue the progress made today to help our veterans take their next steps on American soil using Ekso Bionics technology."
"The Airpower Foundation is excited about the partnership with SoldierSocks and the benefit that it will bring to our Veterans in the Southwest Region. This gift to the Dallas VA Hospital will help many deserving Veterans that do not have the financial means to include the use of an Ekso device as part of their care. We look forward to working with SoldierSocks as we expand this great partnership in the Southwest," adds Roman Palomares of Airpower Foundation.
"VA North Texas is excited to accept this cutting-edge technology donation which will help disabled Veterans, especially those with Spinal Cord related injuries and disease. We look forward to incorporating this new technology into our rehabilitative programs," said Jeff Milligan, Director, VA North Texas HCS.
Adds Ekso Bionics Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Nate Harding: "Given the growing support we are able to provide the US military for able-bodied exoskeleton applications, including US SOCOM's TALOS program, being able to work with SoldierSocks to help injured veterans rehabilitate is incredibly satisfying. The work that Chris Meek is doing on behalf of SoldierSocks is impressive and we are glad to be part of it."
Phil Parisi, United Services Organization (USO) Chief Financial Officer, adds, "The United Services Organization (USO) has made a tradition of supporting our wounded, ill and injured troops dating back to World War II. Today the USO continues this care and we are proud to support the innovative technology of the Ekso device, allowing our military families an opportunity to advance their physical health, rehabilitation and live a more fulfilling life."
About SoldierSocks
SoldierSocks was founded in 2009 to provide basic necessities such as baby wipes, socks and sunscreen to American soldiers fighting for our country in the trenches of Afghanistan and Iraq. As more of our soldiers return home to the U.S., SoldierSocks continues to assist our nation's heroes in re-acclimating to civilian life by offering scholarships for colleges and trade schools and offering paralyzed soldiers an opportunity to gain mobility outside of a wheelchair.
To support SoldierSocks.com in their efforts to provide services to veterans across the United States, please visit our website at www.SoldierSocks.org