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2016 Memorial Challenge - Day 2
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Firefighters cheer on the healing heroes
Day 2 - Tuesday, May 31 - Manassas, VA to Fredericksburg, VA
UnitedHealthcare Memorial Challenge
Day 2 - Tuesday, May 31
Started at: Manassas, VA
Ended at: Fredericksburg, VA
Approximate miles ridden: 50
Total Challenge miles ridden: 96
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Day 2 of the UnitedHealthcare Memorial Challenge was Project Hero Day. With 31 Project HERO regions and 70 individual program sites, there are approximately 4,400 healing heroes riding a bike at least once a week as a part of Ride 2 Recovery's program. For many of these Project HERO participants, riding in a Challenge event is an ultimate goal and something they train year-round to be ready for.
The Project HERO Pprogram features five pillars of focus, including mental and physical rehabilitation, education, employment, family support and community service. Our mission is WE'LL BE THERE!
The opportunity to partner with the VA and a recent Georgetown University study that showed:
1. Significant increase in the overall impact of physical health on functioning
2. Depression, anxiety, self-esteem, loneliness, sense of purpose and resilience all significantly improved from control group at post-ride and 1-month mark
3. Significant decrease in issues related to physical impairment due to mental health issues, energy fatigue, emotional well-being, and social functioning.
With mental health and all of the related issues with TBI and PTSD, this program is poised to change the way our country deals with these issues.
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One of the original riers, Patty Collins, visits with healing heroes on day 2
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Project HERO-NSW
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| One of the newest Project HERO programs was recently set up for the Special Operations community and the specific issues they deal with. The Project HERO -NSW program is based in Virginia on the Little Creek Naval base thanks to a grant from the Navy Seal Foundation. There are six first time riders who have been participating in the program doing the full Memorial Challenge ride and many more who will ride for a day or more later in the week. These new riders credit Project HERO with helping them deal with their mental and physical issues and keeping them available for service and staying on active duty. |
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The winding roads of Virginia
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On day 3, Wednesday, June 1, riders head toward Richmond, the capital of Virginia.
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