STAMFORD, Conn., May 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SoldierStrong, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advanced medical technologies to veterans, today announced that it will be donating an Ekso Bionics (EKSOD) Ekso GT™ robotic exoskeleton to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The Fraternal Order of Eagles generously helped raise half the money for the exoskeleton, which the Minneapolis VA plans on using for gait therapy as part of its rehabilitation services. The donation ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 18th, at 1:30pm CDT in the Auditorium of the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System.
“Honoring our motto, ‘people helping people,’ our members have come together to help ensure that our local veterans have access to this cutting edge rehabilitation technology,” said Bud Haigh, Grand Worthy President, Fraternal Order of Eagles. “We are proud to live our values by helping enable access to quality care for those who have helped so many others.”
This is the twelfth Ekso GT that SoldierStrong has donated to rehabilitation centers in the U.S. The Ekso GT is the first and only robotic exoskeleton that is FDA cleared for use with stroke patients. The device is cleared for the treatment of individuals with hemiplegia due to stroke and individuals with spinal cord injuries at levels L5 to C7, in accordance with device’s labeling.
"We intend to expand our rehabilitative service offerings through the implementation of this advanced medical technology to help improve outcomes for a broader patient population," said Patrick Kelly, Director of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. "Our thanks goes to SoldierStrong and the Fraternal Order of Eagles for their generous donation that will help us provide the best care possible for our veterans."
According to SoldierStrong, they are proud to be providing this donation in May, which is Stroke Awareness Month, and an excellent opportunity to educate the public on stroke and its increased occurrence within the veteran community.
“We proudly support the VA healthcare systems to help provide our nation’s heroes access to advanced medical technologies to improve their health, and are grateful to the Fraternal Order of Eagles for their efforts to make this donation possible,” said Chris Meek, co-founder and Chairman of SoldierStrong.
About Minneapolis VA Health Care System
The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is a 1A tertiary care facility consisting of a large medical center in Minneapolis and 13 Community Outpatient Clinics in Minnesota (9) and western Wisconsin (4). In 2015, more than 100,000 Veterans received care. Minneapolis VA supports an extensive educational and training program and a large research effort.
The medical center supports the U.S. Department of Defense through its Polytrauma Care Center and Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center.
About SoldierStrong
SoldierStrong, previously known as SoldierSocks, helps American patriots literally take their new steps forward. Through educational scholarships and by harnessing the most innovative technology in advanced rehabilitation, we help our returning service men and women to continue moving in the only direction they should know – forward. Nearly every dollar SoldierStrong receives goes towards direct support of American patriots so that they can re-acclimate to civilian life. Our organization works to remind those men and women who sacrificed so much that we are forever thankful.