MyTeam Triumph – Georgia Chapter” is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Columbus, Georgia and staffed by 3rd and 4th year Mercer medical students. The organization provides physically-limited children, adults, and veterans, or “Captains,” opportunities to participate in endurance races throughout several communities in Georgia with the assistance of specialized wheelchairs and teams of able-bodied runners, or “Angels.” Their mission is “to enhance the health and well-being of individuals with physical-limitations by fostering lasting, authentic relationships through the teamwork environment of endurance athletes,” said fourth year Mercer medical student and My Team Triumph- Georgia Chapter Executive Director Kristen Kettelhut.
My Team Triumph-Georgia recently received a $5,000 Community Health Grant Award to purchase two ADA-approved Axiom Racing Wheelchairs to expand the reach of My Team Triumph to communities throughout Georgia. The wheelchairs will feature both Georgia Healthy Family Alliance and Georgia Academy of Family Physicians logos.
Currently, the primary impacted populations are children and adults with physical limitations, their families, and the Angels serving as their legs. Since December 2015, My Team Triumph has influenced 26 Captains, over 50 family members, and over 75 Angels. Additionally, each race they participate in draws more publicity and community support as thousands of individuals see the teams progress from starting line to finish line. With the expansion to 10 races on the schedule this year, they plan to serve over 50 Captains, at least 150 Angels, family members, and thousands of race day participants and bystanders.
A Team Triumph Captain greets members of the military attending the recent Soldier Marathon.
The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) is currently accepting applications for the second cycle of the 2017 Community Health Grant Awards. More than $28,000 was awarded during the first grant cycle of 2017. Grant awards of up to $5,000 are made to GAFP member affiliated charitable organizations that support GHFA program priorities including underserved populations and outreach programs that promote healthy practices consistent with the principles of family medicine. Current GAFP members including medical students, residents and active/ life members are eligible to apply. The application deadline for second cycle 2017 awards is May 14th. Second cycle grant awards will be announced in June 2017. Visit www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org/grants/ to download the 2017 application or view a list of previously funded grant projects.