Former Navy SEAL Mike Day, who was shot 27 times while fighting Al Qaida militants in Iraq back in 2007, plans to run the half Ironman Race on April 12 in Florida as part of a fundraising effort to help fellow veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
According to Ian Preston of WTKR, Day plans to compete in the half-Ironman Race. He will be doing it as part of an effort to raise money for the Carrick Brain Centers, which is based in Dallas and specializes in working with wounded war veterans and children suffering from severe brain injuries.
"Day was a patient at Carrick following his career in the Navy SEALs," Preston wrote. "He was diagnosed with PTSD after he was involved in a gunfight eight years ago in Iraq."
Day, who is trying to raise the money through his website (up to $75,000 according to Preston), elaborated on where the donations would go.
"The funds will provide customized treatment programs to individuals at the Brain Treatment Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization in Texas," Day wrote.
Day then focused on telling his story about his time as a Navy SEAL, which lasted over 21 years. He detailed how he survived his last deployment to Iraq, which happened in April 2007.
"Upon entering a 12 x 12 foot room, I was shot 27 times at close range and received shrapnel wounds from a grenade," Day wrote. "I was shot in both legs, both arms, my left thumb was almost amputated, I was shot in the abdomen and had a colostomy bag for a year, my right scapula was shattered, I was shot twice in the buttocks, once in the scrotum and my body armor was hit multiple times which caused fractured ribs and contusions on my lungs."
Day added that it was "a single gunfight at an ordinary day at the office," noting that he considered his survival "an absolute miracle."
"I was there and don't believe it happened," Day wrote. "I walked out of that house on my own two legs to the MEDIVAC helicopter and was transported to National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., via Baghdad and Landstuhl, Germany."
The former Navy SEAL argued that he was "saved to do greater things," which is why he wants to help the Carrick Brain Treatment Center as part of his "life's mission."
"My fellow warriors deserve the best available treatment for their injuries," Day wrote. "I have personally seen the results of their work and am confident that they will continue to change lives."
In a report written by Mark Martin of CBN News back in September 2014, Day gave credit to God for surviving what could have been a deadly situation back in Iraq.
"After I'd figured out I was getting shot I said, 'God, get me home to my girls,'" Day said. "That was my first prayer to God, real prayer, and He answered it."
Day added that he didn't die "because maybe I wouldn't have gone to heaven." According to Martin, he now works as a full-time wounded warrior advocate for the Special Operations Command.
"My job is to improve their situation," Day said. "Whether it's make sure they get all their benefits, make sure they get the best medical care, I just advocate for them."
