A treatment facility that is working to treat Oklahoma veterans with post traumatic stress disorder may be forced to close its doors.
Experts say it helps veterans with PTSD by using hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
The clinic, which provides treatment at no cost, needed donations in order to keep its doors open.
Last year, one veteran decided to donate $25,000 to help others in need.
While it was money that was used to help other veterans, the money ran out and the clinic is now facing eviction.
“This program works. I’ve seen it in my own life and I’ve seen it in other lives of people coming in here,” said Leonard Kaiser Jr., a veteran.
Last year, Oklahoma lost 137 veterans to suicide. Experts say this year’s numbers continue to grow.
Leonard Kaiser Jr., knows what it’s like to feel lost.
“I was pretty much crazy and suicidal,” said Kaiser.
After 10 treatments of hyperbaric oxygen, he says he started to heal.
“All of a sudden, my brain started to clear up and I could think for the first time, for as long as I can remember,” said Kaiser.
“So, here we are, ready. We have the capacity to treat these people in real-time,” said Dr. William A. Duncan.
Right now, Patriot Clinics rely on charitable donations from Oklahomans to operate.
“If someone gave us $10 a month, that pays for two and a half veterans’ oxygen treatments. It costs us $4 every time we do oxygen,” said Dr. Duncan.
The process of setting up a state fund began in November.
However, getting to that money takes time and the clinic only has until April 30 to pay rent or face eviction.
Veterans are holding onto hope that Oklahomans will rally together to come up with the $8,000 needed to get through another month.
“They’d be saving a lot of lives. Lives that defended your country, defended you and now they need you,” said Kaiser.
The Patriot Clinics is helping 26 veterans each day right now.
For more information, visit the Hyperbaric Medical Foundation’s website. Organizers ask that you mark the donation for Oklahoma veterans.
The Hugs Program, a local charity, also helps pay for the monthly oxygen bills.
For more information on the program, visit the group’s website.
See a mistake? Report a typo here.