The cyclists of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride in Colorado traveled a great distance last month to honor and celebrate the lives of first responders who serve communities every day, from those who have become ill or injured to those who have died in the line of duty.

Banner Health sponsored the local ride Sept. 20-24. Riders began their journey in Aspen and pedaled on until Morrison. The National Bike Ride for first responders has put on cycling events across the country for more than 20 years.

Jennifer Drumright, Med Evac business development manager, was a leader in this year's Colorado bike ride. Due to the pandemic, the amount of participants was limited to 20 riders, along with 10 support crew members who drove food, gear and clothing along the route.

The bike ride was to celebrate and memorialize those who serve every day in the difficult and honorable role, Drumright said.

"These rides are meant to memorialize not only these individuals, but celebrate their life and provide support to those that have been left behind," she said. "So, the Colorado ride this year had quite a few first responders who had lost friends, lost family members. It's almost like an active form of therapy for them to go on these rides and to help raise money for this."

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride in Colorado from Sept. 20-24. The long-distance cycling event was sponsored by Banner Health and had about 20 first responder participants. The route began in Aspen and embarked on a bike ride that ended at the finish line in Morrison (WildRock Public Relations & Marketing).

First responders and health care workers facing mental health issues as a result of multiple events, including a global pandemic and climate change, was a main focus of the ride, according to a news release.

A highlight was encouraging and showing people that it is okay to reach out for help, talk about mental health and find resources, Drumright said. There are resources available for first responders throughout the state, she said.

"So we recognize that there's still a stigma surrounding first responders, and receiving help for mental health," Drumright said. "But to us, you know, our mental health is just as important to address as our physical health. And we know that there are difficulties when it comes to talking about these calls, or these types of patients that potentially, you know, go home with you, that you just can't get out of your head.

"It is important for Med Evac to be a part of sponsoring an event such as this to help highlight these struggles and help bring more awareness to it," she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic added to the stress of the job over the past year and a half. Drumright said the pandemic introduced several issues, including altering guidelines, more patient transports and more responders taking on extra shifts and overtime due to people leaving the industry.

"I think one of the big pieces to this bike ride is not only just highlighting the awareness to these topics, but providing others who are in the same boat as you," she said. "You're riding and sweating alongside another individual who is going through similar issues and it kind of breaks down those barriers and makes everyone a little bit more open and more willing to talk. So it's very cathartic."

During the long-distance cycling route, there was a stop for lunch at the Loveland Ski Basin. Banner Health's emergency medical air transport were in attendance so riders could thank them for supporting the mission.

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride in Colorado from Sept. 20-24. The long-distance cycling event was sponsored by Banner Health and had about 20 first responder participants. The route began in Aspen and embarked on a bike ride that ended at the finish line in Morrison (WildRock Public Relations & Marketing).

On Sept. 21, Banner Health also sponsored a dinner for the bike riders in Vail to discuss the hardships and shared experiences from working in this industry.

"The first responder community is a very close-knit community, but we are trying to bring more awareness to those that have become injured or passed away in the course of their careers," Drumright said. "And to provide support and understanding to the public who maybe doesn't know what it's like to do 10-, 12- or 24-hour shift on an ambulance or on a helicopter.

"And to bring camaraderie into knowing that others are out there also searching for help."