Surrey, BC (March 2, 2023) – On the heels of a successful grand opening of the Legion Veterans Village (LVV), the Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation (LVVRF) is pleased to announce a $1-Million donation from the BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion to kick start phase one of its overall $10-Million fundraising campaign. The fundraising campaign supports the translation of clinical research into programs, technologies and services that will support the health and wellness of veterans, first responders and their families through the LVV Centre of Clinical Excellence, and beyond.
The LVV project features a first-of-its-kind Centre of Clinical Excellence in veteran and first responder health, a new 10,500 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Whalley Legion, as well as 91 affordable housing units owned and operated by VRS Communities Society, and 171 market housing units in phase one of the overall development.
“We have been active partners of the Legion Veterans Village project since its inception and we are proud to continue to support this one-of-its-kind project especially now that the facilities are up and running,” says Veronica Brown, Executive Director of the BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion. “The BC/Yukon Command Board were unanimous in their decision to contribute a total $1-Million over four years to help the LVV Centre of Clinical Excellence set up its programs to support veteran and first responder health, which are so desperately needed.”
The LVVRF is working with the Centre of Clinical Excellence Leadership Team, comprised of health care, research, science and clinical experts to lead the health, medical and rehabilitation clinical services, including PTSD and mental health, that will be available to veterans, first responders and their families, as well oversee the clinical research and innovation activities of LVV.
“We are incredibly thankful to the BC/Yukon Command for their unwavering support of the Legion Veterans Village project and we wouldn’t be where we are today without their commitment and dedication to making this project a success,” says Rowena Rizotti, Board Chair, LVVRF. “Our goal from the beginning is to transform the way health care is delivered to Canadian veterans, soldiers and first responders and provide them with an integrated continuum of services and programs that will help them along their healing journey. This generous donation and our overall fundraising campaign will make this promise possible.”
The LVVRF’s $10-Million fundraising campaign enables the Foundation to advance clinical research studies in the areas of rehabilitation and brain health including PTSD, mental wellness and other neurological conditions that are significantly impacting veterans, first responders and their families. Additionally, the funds will help the Foundation invest in innovative health care technologies, like the Lokomat robot-assisted gait therapy technology at Neuromotion, as just one of many advanced and innovative technology solutions offered at the Centre for Clinical Excellence.
The LVV Centre of Clinical Excellence is operated by Veterans and First Responders Health (VFRH), an integrated group of primary health care, wellness, and rehabilitation service providers connected through Welmind, the digital healthcare partner enabling streamlined, coordinated care. Providers include:
- VFRH Primary Care & Lifestyle Medicine – A collaborative team of family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other care providers supporting veterans and first responders through an integrated lifestyle medicine approach focused on long-term, sustainable health and wellness.
- Actum Health –Specialists in interdisciplinary, complex care empowering veterans and first responders dealing with persistent pain, mental health, PTSD, and/or addiction to achieve their recovery goals and return to the life they want to live. With decades of experience in the rehabilitation of complex health care issues, Actum Health works with clients to make lasting, meaningful change.
- Neuromotion – A neurological physiotherapy and rehabilitation company whose vision is to ensure every individual who is impacted by a neurological condition is cared for in a supportive, inclusive, empowering setting and can access a knowledgeable, specialized multidisciplinary rehab team. Neuromotion is bringing innovative technologies like the Lokomat robot-assisted gait therapy technology and the XOmotion robotic legs to LVV to help clients, veterans and first responders with neurological injuries optimize their recovery and learn to walk again.
- City Parkway Dental – Comprehensive dental care for veterans, first responders, and the general public in a safe, caring atmosphere by highly educated, compassionate professionals delivering the very best in gentle dental treatments to improve patient health and quality of life.
- HealthTech Connex Brainnovation Network – An evolving network of care providers dedicated to advancing clinical research and evidence-based practice in the area of brain health. They test and innovate new treatment paradigms, measure effectiveness using technologies like NeuroCatch, and train clinicians how to safely and effectively embed these new approaches into practice.
For more information about Legion Veterans Village and the LVVRF’s $10-Million fundraising campaign, please visit www.lvvresearchfoundation.com.
About BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion:
The Royal Canadian Legion/BC Yukon Command is a non-profit organization consisting of 145 Branches, 60 Ladies’ Auxiliaries and over 47,000 members. They are one of the foremost and most respected community service organizations in Canada, serving veterans, ex-service personnel, seniors, youth and many aspects of community life. The Legion is a democratic, non-partisan, member based organization. They endeavour to make a difference in the lives of Veterans, including military and RCMP members and their families; to support our communities and our country, and to always remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. www.legionbcyukon.ca.
About Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation (LVVRF):
Founded in 2022, the Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation is the charity organization working to support world-leading scientists, technologies, and clinicians as they work collaboratively to advance innovation, research, rehabilitation and health care for veterans, first responders, and their families. The Foundation is actively working with donors and communities across Canada to encourage and inspire support from individuals, organizations, and groups for the continuum of care for veterans, first responders, and families who are affected by physical injuries, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, neurological disorders and more. www.lvvresearchfoundation.com
Twitter: @LvvProject Facebook: @BCLVV Instagram: @LvvProject LinkedIn: @LegionVeteransVillage
