the 07/22/2008

Third Annual Bike 4 the Brain (B4B)

Mission, KS - infoZine - Johnson County Mental Health Center is the site for the thirdannual Bike for the Brain (B4B) on September 28. This is anopportunity to bring a wide variety of people together to worktoward increased understanding about brain-based illnesses thathave emotional and behavioral symptoms through a community orientedcycling event.

Nearly one in three Americans will experience some form of mentaldisorder in their lifetime. However, due to stigma andmisunderstanding, seventy to eighty-five percent of these people donot get help for their condition. B4B is an effort to help provideinformation and reduce the stigma of these highly treatableconditions.

This unique community-wide event will encourage people of all agesto come together and learn by participating in a variety ofactivities including cycling courses, children's activities, or aone-mile walk for those who don't ride. B4B will start at JohnsonCounty Mental Health Center, 6000 Lamar in Mission on Sunday,September 28, at 8:00 A.M. The ride is $20 per rider at the eventand $15 for sign up prior to September 23. Please go tobike4thebrain.org to register online or call (913) 323-6529 foradditional information about B4B.

The rides will be 10, 25, 50, and 62.5 miles. Six rest stops spreadalong the route will provide refreshments and any needed support.SAG (support and gear) vehicles and volunteers will be on thecourse to help riders as necessary.

The activities will include the third Annual B4B Tricycle Challengewhich starts at 10:30 A.M. Adults (or their co-workers who want agreat laugh) donating $100 will pit their child-size tricycleracing skills against one another. The winner chooses the agencythat will receive the prize: an adult-size tricycle. These cyclesallow people with a variety of challenges to experience the joy ofcycling in safety and comfort. Children can race the course afterthe Tricycle Challenge.

"Get a clue about mental illness" is one of the features of thisyear's B4B. Participants will learn important information about thefrequency, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes related to commonbrain-based illnesses with emotional and behavioral symptoms bycollecting "clues" at learning stops along the bike route. Everyonewho participates will be given a B4B-themed prize.

Another feature is the "up/down auction" to be held at thebeginning of the ride. Come early to participate in this fun andfast fundraising activity.

Funds raised from B4B will help support local not-for-profitorganizations in Missouri and Kansas that provide services toindividuals with mental illnesses.

Sponsors of B4B include: Spin! Pizza, Kansas City PsychiatricGroup, HCA Research Psychiatric Center, Crittenton BehavioralHealth, infoZine? Mental Health Association of the Heartland,Kansas City Bike Club, The Bicycle Shack, Liberty Fruit Company,Road I.D., HyVee, Starbucks Coffee, and the Metro Council ofCommunity Health Centers.