By Maryan Marino
Carpenter rides inspired bike in 2018 Tour of California
Inspired by graffiti art, San Diego resident and Rally Cycling team member Robin Carpenter rode one of the six custom-designed, hand-painted Diamondback Podium bikes, that the Rally Cycling team rode at the 2018 Amgen Tour of California. The art for each of the six one-of-a-kind pro-cycling bikes were inspired by the imagination of UHCCF grant recipients who shared with the Rally Cycling design team some of their favorite things and future aspirations.
Tatiana, a UHCCF grant recipient living in Las Vegas, Nevada, inspired the bike “Hip-Hop Dance.” The bike celebrates the fun and freedom of hip-hop culture and was ridden by Carpenter. Tatiana loves the art form as dancing makes her feel like she can do anything. The hip-hop design is actually a technical achievement. It calls for seven layers of stencils and paint. A royal blue base coat is decorated with a kaleidoscope of shapes and textures inspired by graffiti art.
“I feel privileged to be able to contribute in even a small way to help raise funds for children and families in need,” said Carpenter. “I hope that I can do something exciting on my hip-hop-inspired bike that will not only help UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation grant recipients like Tatiana get through hardship, but also raise money by adding value and interest to this custom-painted bike.”
The bikes, donated by Rally Cycling, were auctioned online during the tour with all proceeds benefiting UHCCF. The goal of the riding fundraiser was to raise more than $75,000 to support funding of UHCCF medical grants, which are given to families who need financial assistance to help pay for their children’s health care treatments, services or equipment not covered, or not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance plans.
“These beautifully designed bikes are truly inspiring and represent the important work of the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation to help children access medical care to improve their health,” said UHCCF President Matt Peterson. “We are honored to partner with Rally Cycling to raise greater awareness about our child medical grant program so more families apply and receive grants.”
Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 15,000 grants valued at over $40 million to children and their families across the United States for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cerebral palsy. Qualifying UHCCF families can receive up to $5,000 per grant with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
The 2018 edition of the Amgen Tour of California was the 10th time the team has competed in the event and its third under the banner of title sponsor Rally Health, a digital health company that develops online and mobile solutions that make it easy for people to take charge of their health. Rally’s products encourage simple activities that can help people improve and maintain their health, find care, shop for benefits, choose the right doctor at the right price, and improve their overall well-being.
The 2018 edition of the Amgen Tour of California started in Long Beach on May 13 and headed north through the Golden State ending in front of the state Capitol in Sacramento on May 19. The seven-day stage race included two mountaintop finishes, a time trial, and flat and rolling stages to ensure a tough and exciting event.
For more information on UHCCF or to apply for a grant, visit UHCCF.org.
About Rally Health, Inc.
Rally Health, Inc. is a consumer-centric digital health company that makes it easy for individuals to take charge of their health and collaborates with health plans, care providers, and employers to engage consumers. For more information, please visit RallyHealth.com.
