Benefit concert and speakers to bring attention to the rate of Veteran suicide 

Members of the Veteran-run nonprofit 22 Jumps will take to the skies on February 4 to fundraise research and treatment options for Veterans who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other mental health issues currently contributing to the epidemic of Veteran suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among post-9/11 Veterans.

Veterans Tristan Wimmer and Chris Carnahan will each complete 22 BASE jumps off of Camelback Mountain on Saturday, February 4. Each of the jumps is symbolic of the 22 active duty servicemembers and veterans in the U.S. who succumb to suicide each day. The jumps will be held as part of the 4th Annual 22 Jumps event at Camelback Mountain in Phoenix.

Wimmer, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, founded 22 Jumps in 2020 in response to his brother Kiernan Wimmer's suicide. Kiernan was a recon and MARSOC marine who served one tour in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq. In 2006, Kiernan sustained a massive TBI that diminished his quality of life and contributed to his decision to commit suicide. The event, 22 Jumps, began as a tribute to his brother, but Tristan quickly expanded its scope after learning about the countless families affected by Veteran suicide.

This will be the group’s seventh event nationwide. Each event has a fundraising goal of $22,000. To date the organization has raised more than $180,000. Wimmer and his team hope to raise another $22,000 during their weekend in Phoenix. Proceeds go to support the Kiernan Wimmer TBI Innovation Initiative at Cohen Veteran Bioscience (CVB), a nonprofit biomedical research organization dedicated to fast-tracking precision diagnostics and tailored therapeutics for brain trauma, a major risk factor for suicide.

Donations can be made online at www.22jumps.org/donate/.

This year, two Phoenix businesses are partnering with 22 Jumps to expand fundraising efforts.

  • Thursday, February 2, Dixxon Flannel Co. will host a benefit concert featuring local band Los Gringos at its Tempe showroom.
  • Friday, February 3, Cider Corps will hold a sit-down dinner in its Mesa Taproom with presenters from CVB educating the audience about current advancements in TBI.

Events are made possible by Cider Corps, Dixxon Flannel Co., Operation Encore, Four Peaks Brewing and MyCarrier. Tickets for both events can be purchased on Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/3ZK9qmf.

Image courtesy of 22 Jumps