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Baltimore Woman Creates Nationwide Charity For Wounded Veterans

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – A local organization is giving wounded war veterans a second chance at feeling whole again.

Mary Bubala explains it starts with working up a sweat at gyms across the nation.

The organization Catch a Lift was created in memory of a Baltimore soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Every time former Marine John Dansicker hits the treadmill and retired soldier Robert Fessock pumps iron, they say they feel transformed.

"If you're not physically fit, you're not going to be mentally fit. If you're not mentally fit, you're not going to be spiritually fit," said Fessock. "It all works together."

Both were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder when they returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and say working out just might have saved their lives.

Lynn Coffland created Catch a Lift as a way to honor her brother. Cpl. Chris Coffland, born and raised in Baltimore, was killed in 2009 in Afghanistan.

He was a lifelong fitness buff, and every time he went to the gym, he said he was going to "catch a lift."

"After he died, I felt like I wanted to do something to capture him and his spirit," said Coffland.

So she created Catch a Lift--a charity that provides free access to gyms to veterans anywhere in the country--even equipment for those who want to work out at home.

Since 2010, Catch a Lift has sponsored 2,500 veterans. Some have lost more than 40 pounds. Many others have gone from more than 20 medications down to two or three.

Fessock and Dansicker say the gym also reminds them of Coffland's sacrifice.

"Sometimes I feel like he died so we could all live," Fessock said.

"My brother would be really proud to know that he helped do that," Coffland said.

Catch a Lift relies on donations solely to get vets into gyms. Right now, there's a waiting list of close to 500 veterans.

If you would like to help or learn more about Catch a Lift, CLICK HERE.

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