Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative

The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) embarked on the creation of the Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative in 2013 to support wounded warrior athletes to promote optimal wound and skin care.

Wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans compete in regional qualifiers to earn a coveted spot to participate in athletic Olympic-style games. Many of the athletes are prone to reinjuring their wounds and scars. The WHF initiative was created to provide ways to promote optimal wound management and skin care for these athletes.

Since first providing supplies and Warrior Care kits to athletes competing in the 2013 Warrior Games (Colorado Springs, Colorado), WHF has expanded its support efforts for the wounded warrior athletes and their families to include the global community of servicemen and servicewomen.

The WHF partner Swiss-American Products has agreed to provide additional Warrior Care Kits at a no-profit price for purchase and delivery to specified institutions. Information for direct purchase to come soon or go to our donate page to donate money going towards a rehabilitation unit.

The WHF is now listed in the Patriot Link resources at the Code of Support Foundation.

Outreach Program

Patient-oriented outreach began in 2013 and consists of the provision of free informational resources, educational sessions and recognition awards such as wound care travel kits. Currently there is a Pressure Ulcer Prevention guide geared for patients who are at risk for developing an open wound due to pressure, friction and shear, and their families that care for them.

Web based information and educational sessions will also be developed and focused towards the patient and non-wound care clinicians. Virtual educational sessions for clinicians in developing countries are being created. To contribute to this program, please go to our donate page to make a donation today.

Sponsorship does not imply Federal, DoD, or Unites States Marine Corps endorsement.

Past Initiatives

2019 Initiative

The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) through the extremely generous support of Elta MD were happy to collaborate for the WHF-Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative this year. The 2019 Warrior Games were hosted by the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) June 21-20 in Tampa Bay, Florida. Over 130 athletes participated in the competition representing the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, SOCOM as well as those from the UK Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force, Danish Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Netherlands. Participants were provided therapeutic pillows and sunscreen as part of the 2019 WHF-Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative.

2018 Initiative

The 2018 Warrior Games were hosted by the Air Force at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado June 1-9, 2018. The 2018 Invictus Games were held in Sydney Australia October 20-27, 2018. The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) provided educational resources to all participants as requested.

2017 Initiative

The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) expanded its Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative in 2017 through the extremely generous support of Swiss-American Products and Elta MD at two events. The WHF was a proud sponsor of the Warrior Games hosted by the Navy in Chicago at McCormick Place/Lakeside Center June 30-July 9, 2017. Approximately 400 Warrior Care kits and educational brochures were provided to the Special Ops, Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and the British Armed Forces athletes upon arrival. The WHF sent 700 Warrior Care kits and educational brochures to military athletes from 15 nations competing in the Invictus Games September 23-30 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As part of the Invictus Games, the WHF had two Invictus flag bearers, retired Marine Jordan McBryde and wound healing researcher at the University of Toronto Marille Walraven. The WHF name was prominently displayed on all Invictus Games programs and banners throughout the city and event venues and raising awareness.

2016 Initiative

The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) expanded its Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative in 2016 through the generous support of Swiss-American Products and Elta MD at two events. The WHF sent 700 Warrior Care kits to military athletes from 15 nations competing in the Invictus Games May 8-12 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The WHF was a proud sponsor of the Warrior Games hosted by the Army at the West Point Military Academy in New York (June 15-21, 2016). Approximately 300 Warrior Care kits and educational brochures were provided to the Special Ops, Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and the British Armed Forces athletes upon arrival.

Imagine our surprise and delight when we received this as a thank you present for the kits!

West Point Military Academy served as the hosting site of the 2016 Warrior Games. Photo courtesy of the US Army.

Invictus Games 2016. Photo courtesy of Fisher House Foundation.

Athletes visiting between competitions next to autographed I AM centerpiece. Photo courtesy of Shades of Green.

WHF President Laura K. S. Parnell presenting the Generosity in Giving plaque to Swiss-American President Phil O’Neill and Swiss-American Project Coordinator Tina Jackson in appreciation of providing the 2016 Warrior Care Kits.

2015 Initiative

The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) expanded its Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative in 2015 through the generous support of Swiss-American Products and Elta MD. WHF was a proud sponsor of the Warrior Games at Marine Corp Base Quantico, Virginia (June 19-28, 2015). Approximately 300 Warrior Care kits were provided to athletes who are active and veteran U.S. service members from Special Ops, Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and the British Armed Forces. These kits included hand sanitizer, sunscreens, moisturizer, wound gel, skin protectant, silver antimicrobial and antifungal as well as wound dressings and a hand mirror in a lightweight backpack.

Swiss American Products and Elta MD provided the 2014 and 2015 WHF Warrior Care Kits. Swiss-American Project Coordinator Tina Jackson and Swiss-American President Phil O’Neill accept the Generosity in Giving plaque from WHF President Laura K. S. Parnell. Photo courtesy of Carol Bocell.

The Danish Wounded Warrior project and the WHF met in Copenhagen, Denmark. Pictured: Jojo, Laura, Jessie and Susan at the Copenhagen Pilates Studio.

2014 Initiative

The Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) has expanded its Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative in 2014 with two incredible events through the generous support of Swiss-American Products, Smith & Nephew, Elta MD and The Wound Institute.

WHF provided approximately 250 Warrior Care kits for athletes participating in the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado (September 28 � October 4, 2014) to active and veteran U.S. service members from Special Ops, Navy, Marines, Army, and Air Force. These kits include hand sanitizer, sunscreens, moisturizer, wound gel, skin protectant, silver antimicrobial and antifungal as well as wound dressings and a hand mirror in a lightweight backpack.

Additionally, WHF supplied Warrior Care kits and Pressure Ulcer Prevention educational brochures for competitors of the inaugural 2014 Invictus Games held in London, England, September 10-14, 2014. Over 400 active and veteran service members from 13 countries competed before crowds of 65,000 people. WHF was there and offered awareness and education to this remarkable group of athletes and their caregivers.

Supporting wounded warrior athletes and their families is one way the WHF delivers on our Mission. Together we can improve wound and skin care through education and awareness.

Wheelchair basketball finals with the UK and USA teams at the Invictus Games in London, September 2014. Photo courtesy of Laura K. S. Parnell.

A great banner seen at the Invictus Games in London, September 2014. Photo courtesy of Laura K. S. Parnell.

WHF Board Members Lisa Gould, Laura K. S. Parnell and Paul Y. Liu show their support of the Invictus Games Athletes while attending the European Tissue Repair Society meeting at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo courtesy of Laura K. S. Parnell.

2013 Initiative

This year, the Wound Healing Foundation (WHF) created our Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative to support wounded warrior athletes to promote optimal wound and skin care. These wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans attended the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado May 11-16, 2013 and are prone to reinjuring their wounds and scars. The WHF initiative was to 1) create Warrior Care wound and skin kits and 2) solicit additional wound and skin care donations for the athletes.

The WHF Warrior Care kits were designed to ease athlete skin and wound care while traveling. The WHF labeled kits contained TSA compatible hand sanitizer, sunscreen, moisturizer, wound gel, skin protectant, silver antimicrobial and antifungal as well as wound dressings and a hand mirror in a lightweight backpack. The Warrior Care kits were manufactured and underwritten by Swiss-American Products for each of the 260 athletes.

The timing and location of the WHS annual meeting with SAWC in Denver, CO provided an excellent opportunity to solicit donated supplies for the Warrior Games participants from wound and skin care manufacturers exhibitors. The WHF 2013 partners included the Wound Healing Foundation (WHS), HMP Communications, the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME) and the companies 3M, Amerx, BSN, Covalon, Covidien, Hartmann, Hollister, Hy-Tape, Milliken, Sage Products, Smith & Nephew, Southwest Technologies, Spiracur, Steadmed, Swiss-American Products and Vomaris; for generously contributing to our Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative. The partnership between the WHF, WHS, HMP and NACCME successfully facilitated the donation request. We are proud to announce that the WHF and our partners collected over $100,000 in wound and skin care products!

WHF President Laura K. S. Parnell and WHS President Paul Liu personally delivered the donations in Colorado Springs. It was a humbling and uplifting experience to be in the presence of so many young men and women who have endured and continue to endure physical and mental wounds. The WHF is grateful for all individuals and companies that supported our effort. This teamwork is a wonderful example of the positive impact we in the wound healing arena can have on individuals.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Shaak with the WHF Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative donations. Photo courtesy of HMP Communications.

Warrior Care kits were filled with skin and wound care items and given to wounded warrior athletes. Photo courtesy of Laura K. S. Parnell.

WHF Wounded Warrior Athlete Initiative sponsors with Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Shaak and WHF Board of Directors. Photo courtesy of HMP Communications.