UTICA, N.Y. — The Battle Within Foundation (BWF) announced a first-round donation to the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) to better understand the cause and effect of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MMRI will use this initial contribution toward enabling the expansion of its neurocognitive disorder research. The funds for this donation were collected from tributes […]
UTICA, N.Y. — The Battle Within Foundation (BWF) announced a first-round donation to the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) to better understand the cause and effect of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
MMRI will use this initial contribution toward enabling the expansion of its neurocognitive disorder research.
The funds for this donation were collected from tributes made directly to BWF in memory of Joanne Kessler, who passed away in December 2021. She was the wife of Richard J. Kessler, the grand master of the New York State Masons. It was her wish to support this cause for veterans suffering from PTSD.
“As the scope of MMRI’s research on neurocognitive disorders continues to diversify, we will also focus our efforts on better understanding PTSD,” MMRI Executive Director Maria Kontaridis said in a news release. “In collaboration with numerous others in our region who are working tirelessly towards bettering this cause, we hope our efforts will help make a difference in the lives of all those suffering from this devastating disorder.”
PTSD-associated suicide is the leading cause of death among American military members, outranking war, cancer, heart disease, homicide, and transportation accidents.
“We hope our new collaboration with the MMRI can contribute to making an impact for veterans and their ongoing suffering from PTSD,” BWF President Mark Donnelly said.
“We send our very best men and women to defend and protect America,” Kessler said. “Many come back shattered and broken both mentally and physically. America needs to support our veterans proactively. All injuries are debilitating, but the cruelest wounds are those that can’t be seen.”
Founded in 1958 by the Masonic Grand Lodge of New York, MMRI is a biomedical research institute with research largely focused on understanding the mechanisms that cause heart disease, brain functional anomalies, and autoimmune disease.
Buffalo-based The Battle Within Foundation’s mission is to support veterans in crisis, educate the public, and honor veterans for their service. It is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) charitable organization.