Skip to Content

   

LT Evan Skarbek Named Warrior of the Month

December 20, 2023 | Story by Alyssa Ross | Navy Wounded Warrior

LT Evan Skarbek entered into military service in a non-traditional way. He began his career in the civilian sector and attended graduate school for his master's of business administration. He was commissioned as a Naval officer in his late 20s. His role was to improve hospital and clinical operations, including devising a throughput testing facility for the COVID-19 pandemic that was shared throughout civilian hospitals in the Southeast region of the U.S. 

About four years into his service, he began experiencing debilitating back pain that led to a stay at Naval Hospital Jacksonville. He was diagnosed with late stage 3 testicular cancer. 

"In about three days time, I went from a gainfully employed service member, doing what I loved at Naval Hospital Jacksonville and competing in CrossFit with my wife, to moving across the country to Phoenix, Ariz. and reporting to a chemotherapy chair as my new 9-to-5. My wife and i went from writing thank-you notes from our wedding to just trying to survive; our life was on hold." 

LT Skarbek's wife put her job, real-estate business, and acting career aside to renovate their new house while also caring for him. His parents jumped in to help with the move, drive him to appointments, and care for their pets. Friends sent food because they didn't have a kitchen or refrigerator when they first moved.

"I am fortunate because I had a strong support system of family and friends pitching in to help us. I owe my life to those who stepped up during our time of need." 

Even with the strong support network, the Skarbeks were falling behind in their expenses and paperwork.

"I will never forget the day I was introduced to Tara Redshaw, a recovery care coordinator at Navy Wounded Warrior. Within the first 60 minutes, Tara came to my aid not only to lay out an action plan to right this ship, but she also took the time to listen, empathize, and triage my non-medical issues and provide solutions. Within 24 hours, she introduced me to multiple organizations across the U.S. She personally ensured I was making contact with the right folks and day by day, everything got better. It's been a year of working together and I feel blessed to have had the overwhelming support of Navy Wounded Warrior so that I could focus on my health and family. 

"I want to impart one final thought to anyone reading this: You are not in this alone." 

LT Skarbek, nominated by Recovery Care Coordinator Ericka Vega, was named Wounded Warrior of the Month because he consistently demonstrates what it looks like to face unexpected difficulty and a daunting diagnosis with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. He is self-driven, grateful, kind, optimistic, patient, brave, and positive, even in the face of challenging protocols. One can often hear Navy Wounded Warrior staff express, "I am a better person after speaking with him." 

Numquam Navigare Solus – Never to Sail Alone

Navy Wounded Warrior coordinates the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, and provides resources and support to their families and caregivers. Regional non-medical care providers tailor support to each enrolled service member’s recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration needs. The program allows service members and their families to focus on recovery without distraction. To date, nearly 10,000 seriously wounded, ill, and injured service members located throughout the country received assistance from Navy Wounded Warrior.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen may self-refer to Navy Wounded Warrior, or be referred by a family member, their command leadership or their medical team. Contact the Navy Wounded Warrior call center at 855-NAVY WWP / 855-628-9997, or email navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.

Newsfeed

DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Powerlifting | From the sport’s Paralympic Games history to explaining the difference between weightlifting and powerlifting, here is a list of four facts to know about the sport.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Indoor Rowing | From an overview of indoor rowing’s origins to competition style, here is a list of five facts to know about the sport.
Check out the Spring 2022 Edition of the Navy Wounded Warrior's Family Newsletter! --- April - June 2022
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Swimming | From the explaining the sport’s Paralympic Games history to the different types of starts, here is a list of six facts to know about the sport.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Cycling |From the DoD Warrior Games events to the sport’s origin, here is a list of four facts to know about the sport.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Shanice Dansby shares her journey with Navy Wounded Warrior. ---- Story shared from DVIDS.
Check out the Fall 2022 Edition of the Navy Wounded Warrior's Family Newsletter! --- October - December 2022
Congratulations to MA2 Robert Orr! He was selected as Navy Region Southwest's Navy Wounded Warrior of the Month for October 2022.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Field | From the explaining the term athletics to the Paralympic Games history, here is a list of five facts to know about the sport.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Archery | From the types of bows to sports origin, here is a list of facts to know about the sport.
Join us in congratulating ITC Deatrice Sumlin! Sumlin was selected as the Navy Wounded Warrior of the Month by Navy Region Southwest for February 2022.
Check out the Summer 2022 Edition of the Navy Wounded Warrior's Family Newsletter! --- July - September 2022
Tony Jungblut finds new life after 26 years in the US Navy through Navy Wounded Warrior. For Jungblut, the Navy Wounded Warrior program offered ways to stay active though adaptive sports and avenues to receive help and care during and after his transition to civilian life.
Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Tiffany Hamilton shares her personal story of her recovery journey with PTSD.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Field | From an overview of golf’s origins to your chances of getting a hole-in-one, here is a list of six facts to know about the sport.
Congratulations to YN1 (Ret.) Lorraine Currow, who was selected as 2021 Navy Wounded Warrior of the Year by Navy Safe Harbor Foundation.
Former Marine Sgt. Dario Santana continues his life of service by serving as the Family Program manager at Navy Wounded Warrior headquarters
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Sitting Volleyball | From the sport’s origin to explaining why one team member wears a different color jersey, here is a list of four facts to know about the sport.
Join us in congratulating LCDR (Ret.) Jeffery Dewey. Dewey was selected as the Navy Wounded Warrior of the Month by Navy Region Southwest for March 2022.
DoD Warrior Games Featured Sport: Shooting | From the sport’s Paralympic Games history to explaining the competition style, here is a list of three facts to know about the sport.
Back to top