In its mission to extend outreach to children and adolescents with brain injuries, Andee’s Army, Inc., an Atlanta-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, has established an endowed adolescent patient assistance fund at Shepherd Center brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation hospital. The fund will help support adolescents and their families with medical treatment, rehabilitation and home care needs not typically covered by insurance or other compensation sources.

“Support to these families will include assistive technology, medical equipment, home modifications and other emergency needs such as transportation, medication or attendant care to help sustain families in practical ways as they adjust and adapt to their teenager’s brain injuries,” Lisa Kennedy, board chair for Andee’s Army said.

The Executive Board of Andee’s Army helped lead the initiative to build upon the success of similar Andee’s Army partnerships and grant programs, and recently presented their first endowment check of $100,000 to Shepherd Center officials. This newest adolescent patient assistance program, administered by Shepherd Center, expands both the type of neurological injuries addressed with family grants and the reach of the program to a larger number of families.

“This special allegiance with Shepherd Center helps fulfill Andee’s Army mission to extend our financial assistance to families of children and youth receiving medical treatment and care for brain injuries and other neurological injuries and conditions, including spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis,” Kennedy said.  “While we will continue our emergency outreach to families in the midst of crisis, the creation of a significantly endowed fund with Shepherd Center helps us ensure the long-term success of our mission in supporting families in crisis and beyond for many generations to come.”