Paralyzed Veterans of America Serves More Than 60,000 Veterans and Their Families in 2014

Paralyzed Veterans of America issued the following today:




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:  April 9, 2015
Media contact:                  
Lani Poblete 202-416-7667           

Organization’s Lifetime Commitment to Veterans Highlighted in 2014 Annual Report 

WASHINGTON, DC—Over the past year Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) provided benefits, health advocacy, employment and rehabilitation assistance to more than 60,000 veterans and their families nationwide. The veterans service organization also secured more than $290 million in new benefit awards from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans last year. These and other accomplishments are detailed in Paralyzed Veterans newly released 2014 Annual Report—A Lifetime of Service.


“We’ve been very fortunate to grow and expand many of our programs this year, enabling us to better serve our nation’s veterans and their families,” said Al Kovach Jr., national president of Paralyzed Veterans. “Paralyzed Veterans is a unique organization that really is a true partner for life, from the minute a veteran is injured, continuing through every phase of a veteran’s recovery and life. We’re proud to have served veterans for nearly 70 years now and look forward to continue serving veterans as long as there is a need.”



In 2014 alone, Paralyzed Veterans of America:


• Provided services to more than 60,000 veterans and their families nationwide.

• Secured more than $290 million in new benefit awards and ancillary benefits, and more than $1 billion in total benefits secured—new, retroactive and recurring awards—for all clients.

• Expanded outreach to veterans’ caregivers, which included advocacy within VA facilities, benefits and claims assistance and vocational resources.

• Opened its eighth Operation PAVE (Paving Access for Veterans Employment) office in Chicago to provide vocational services to veterans, their families and caregivers in the region.

• Expanded its sports programs to include boccia and is exploring other exciting sports, such as wheelchair lacrosse.

• Hosted more than 600 health care professionals at its annual health care Summit, one of the world’s leading conferences in the specialized field of spinal cord injury and disease care.



All Paralyzed Veterans programs and services are provided free of charge to veterans and their families.


The annual report is available as a downloadable PDF at www.pva.org/annualreport. Printed copies of the report can be obtained by writing to:


Paralyzed Veterans of America
ATTN: Office Services
801 18th Street NW
Washington DC 20006

ENDS

About Paralyzed Veterans of America:

Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For nearly 70 years, we have ensured that veterans have received the benefits earned through their service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.

As a partner for life, Paralyzed Veterans also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation and advocates for veterans and all people with disabilities. With more than 70 offices and 34 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. (www.pva.org)






veterans