- Challenged Athlete Foundation Members Participating Courtesy of TriWest -
PHOENIX, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- After sacrificing their limbs while fighting to protect America's freedoms in Iraq and Afghanistan, Marines Chris Chandler and Brandon Mendez refused to let their injuries diminish their spirits. Both received prosthetic limbs, returned to active duty and are participating in Pat's Run courtesy of TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
As members of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), Chandler and Mendez will join nearly 15,000 other runners and walkers at the fourth annual Pat's Run on Saturday, April 19 at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Ariz. TriWest is providing transportation, lodging and race entries for the CAF athletes.
"We at TriWest admire and are inspired by the resiliency of Chris and Brandon," said TriWest President & CEO David J. McIntyre. "In honor of the late Pat Tillman, TriWest is proud to sponsor these Marines who possess indomitable spirits having triumphed over combat injuries."
The timed run begins at 7 a.m. and finishes around 9 a.m. on the 42-yard line of Sun Devil Stadium at Arizona State University. The walk or non-timed run begins at 7:30 a.m. Kids under the age of 12 are also encouraged to register for free to run the 0.42 mile Kids Run. Proceeds from the event benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation's Leadership Through Action(TM), which empowers individuals to make a positive impact in their community.
Chris Chandler "Moving" On
Staff Sgt. Chandler lost his left leg below the knee in 2001 when he stepped on a landmine while providing security for an explosives ordinance disposal unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
In the wake of the injury, the Aurora, Colo. native made history by becoming the first Service member to graduate from jumping school and return to active duty after receiving a prosthetic leg. He is currently based at the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) in San Diego.
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