Return the Salute

O U R MISSION

Returning the Salute

Awareness

Raising awareness for veterans seeking a potential alternative to prosthetics through arm/hand transplants;

Connection

Connecting our veterans with the appropriate transplant programs that can best serve them;

Funding

Raising funds through donations and grants, covering the gap for associated procedures and longterm care.

HAND/ARM TRANSPLANTATION

AWARENESS

While the first hand transplant was attempted in 1964, the first successful arm transplant was performed in 1999. 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of that event; yet only 25% of amputees surveyed were aware and/or offered a transplant as an option as of 2018.

Less than 100 people have received a hand or arm transplant within the past twenty years.

Hand/arm transplants have significantly evolved in that time. While one recipient made an around the world motorcycle trip with his transplanted arms, another through out the first pitch at a major league baseball game. In 2016 a recipient of a hand transplant was able to move his fingers within two hours of having surgery and his entire hand within three days. Despite these successes, very few are aware that a hand or arm can be transplanted restoring feel and function.

TRANSPLANT CENTERS

CONNECTION

.There are 253 Transplant Hospitals throughout the United States. Twenty-seven of these have approved programs for VCA or Vascularized Composite Allografts. The term VCA covers several types of transplants including upper extremity (hand/arm). Not all transplant hospitals with VCA programs, perform upper extremity transplants.

THE FINANCIAL GAP

FUNDING

Over 1,000 service members returned from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as amputees. Regardless of this fact, a gap exists in government funding. Our Veterans that are aware of transplantation as an option over a prosthetic have a significant financial hurdle to overcome if they wish to pursue such an option. They are left on their own to fund the year of testing leading up to the transplant; the transplant itself; and one year post-transplantation.

Transplantation requires extensive rehabilitation and anti-rejection medications post surgery. Once the patient is one year post transplantation the government will take over the associated costs.

Our mission is to not only raise awareness, but to advocate for our veterans, connecting them with the right transplant programs and ultimately to fund the financial gap.