In a continuing effort to support soldiers at home and abroad, active and veteran, the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers have teamed up for a third year with the Jackson Healthcare Alliance Ride, a 25- and 50-mile cycling event to raise funds for the Scott Rigsby Foundation.
All proceeds from the Alliance Ride will fund Wounded Warrior Family Retreats.
"The Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers is honored to support the Alliance Ride for our third straight year," AFPTC chief development officer Dan Gordon said. "We connect with this important cause that helps our nation's heroes, brings the community together and also promotes the importance of fitness. Our team is now 10 centers strong, and we are all proud to be a part of this race."
The number of soldiers returning from OIF/OEF with loss of limb or mobility has risen above 1,200, and those suffering from the long term effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injury are on the rise. For many, reintegration into an active and healthy lifestyle at home, and within the family unit, is a significant challenge. The Alliance Ride is one of several fundraising activities that the partnership seeks to advocate together to support these returning heroes.
The Alpharetta dual cycling event will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. and the handcycle criterium on Sunday, May 6. The cycling route begins at Jackson Healthcare's corporate headquarters, 2655 Northwinds Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009 and follows a police-managed course through Alpharetta and Milton. Registration is $30-45 and may be completed online at www.allianceride.com or at the event the day of the race.
To start the race, the U.S. Army Silver Wings from Ft. Benning will provide an aerial demonstration to honor these brave soldiers and land at the event site. This year's event will also feature the Epic Handcycle RoadRace, a 25 mile U.S. Handcycling Series race and Criterium, sanctioned by the US Handcycle Federation (USHF).
"I think it's a really unique opportunity for our ride to have Dan and his organization a part of what we're doing," Scott Rigsby Foundation executive director Scott Johnson said. "If you look at just the whole theme, our foundation is all about inspiring... people with loss of limb and loss of mobility to live a healthy and active lifestyle."
