February 7, 2012
By Maria Gallegos
Born and raised in California, Capt. Brendan Graham never imagined winning big on a game show.
In January 2012, that is exactly what he did. Graham, a pathologist at San Antonio Military Medical Center won $47,602 on ‘Jeopardy’ during his three-show stint.
After his first win on the show, Graham and his wife Lindsey, also a physician at San Antonio Military Medical Center, or SAMMC, agreed to donate half of their winnings to three charities: the Wounded Warrior Project, the Fisher House and the Archdiocese for the Military Service -San Antonio.
As military physicians, working and collaborating with the Wounded Warrior Project and the Fisher House organizations were well-known by the Grahams.
“I saw these organizations almost every day. When a patient arrives at the hospital, a representative from the Wounded Warrior Project is always there to assist the patient and their well being,” Graham said. “And the Fisher House project offers a free place to stay for families while their loved ones recover from their injuries.”
“Another charity I failed to mention on the show was the Archdiocese for the Military Service – San Antonio. We are giving a third of our winnings to this organization,” Graham said. “As devoted Catholics, this was a natural decision for us make.”
According to the website, the organization provides the Catholic Church’s full range of pastoral ministries and spiritual service to those in the United States Armed Forces.
“I am grateful and blessed for what they [three charities] do for our patients,” he said. “My wife and I are simple people. Winning lots of money was not my priority on the show. I was more interested in beating other competitors and demonstrating to the world, we have very intelligent people in the military who can compete with very intelligent civilians in the world.”
The Grahams’ are expecting their second child in March and their personal plans to use the money are small but meaningful.
“My wife wants to buy a rocking chair that is wide enough so both of our children can sit in the rocking chair with her while she reads to them,” he said.
For more information on the charities:
- Fisher House at http://www.fisherhouse.org
- Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
- Catholic Charities: Military Archdiocese of United States at http://www.milarch.org