Wounded Veterans to Cycle

[SNS 타임즈- LA] More than 100 veterans will ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles during 10th annual UnitedHealthcare California Challenge benefiting veterans and first responders with PTSD and other injuries

▲ Navy veteran Nathan DeWalt, left, rode a hand cycle through San Francisco Oct. 15 along with fellow veterans as part of the UnitedHealthcare California Challenge from San Francisco to Los Angeles. (Photo: Amy Sullivan for SNS 타임즈)

More than 100 military veterans, first responders and their supporters will ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles during the 2017 UnitedHealthcare California Challenge. The ride, in its tenth year, is a collaboration between UnitedHealthcare and Project Hero, benefiting veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other injuries.

The noncompetitive, therapeutic bike tour begins Oct 15 and covers nearly 450 miles.

Participating veterans ride for free in the multiday event, which takes them through historic sites, civic centers and local attractions while riding hand cycles, recumbent cycles, adaptive bikes and traditional road bikes. Information is available at www.projecthero.org.

“This cycling event raises awareness about PTSD and helps veterans like me recover from our injuries and heal,” said Carlos Vera of San Jose, Calif. “The comradery of riding with my fellow veterans, hearing their stories and knowing we have a strong network of support through organizations such as Project Hero and UnitedHealthcare are so important in our recovery process.”

Project Hero is a national nonprofit organization that helps military veterans and first responders affected by injury, PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) achieve rehabilitation, recovery and resilience in their daily lives.

UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, has been a partner of Project Hero and its programs for veterans since 2010, providing funding and critical support for its therapy rides across the United States. Through Optum, which operates the company’s military health services business, the company is supporting Project Hero’s efforts to help veterans and first responders affected by PTSD and TBI as part of a multimillion-dollar commitment to help expand national HUB community sites, Project Hero Honor Ride events, the Women’s Initiative and Mountain Biking programs.

“UnitedHealthcare is honored to support Project Hero and this year’s California Challenge,” said Robert Falkenberg, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of California. “There is nothing like the therapeutic power of cycling, and we are privileged to ride alongside and support men and women who have served our country.”

In addition to five 2017 UnitedHealthcare Challenge Series rides held over multiple days throughout the country, Project Hero hosts annual one-day Honor Rides inviting the public to ride with healing heroes in cities throughout the nation.

Founded in 2008, Project Hero has built more than 200 adaptive bikes for injured veteran riders and donated more than 2,500 bikes to military veteran riders who have logged more than 700,000 miles already this year in support of America’s healing heroes.

“The Challenge Series combines cycling, comradery and peer-to-peer interaction to help veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries meet challenges, achieve goals and build lasting relationships,” said John Wordin, president and founder of Project Hero. “The multiple-day format gives healing heroes a unique opportunity for a life-changing experience that supports mental and physical rehabilitation and recovery.”

Wordin, a former professional cyclist, rides in every Project Hero Challenge Series event.

Project Hero also oversees community centers and programs in more than 50 cities throughout the United States and works in partnership on PTSD research programs with the Veterans Administration and leading research institutions, including Georgetown University Hospital.

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