On April 15, a clear, sunny morning in Tempe, Arizona, more than 28,000 participants gathered to remember Pat Tillman’s legacy and participate in the 19th Annual Pat’s Run – a 4.2-mile road run course that wound through city streets and twice crossed the Salt River.
Pat’s Run is a high-profile running event held every April to celebrate Tillman’s life and legacy, and also honor all active-duty Service Members, Veterans, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving.
“I’m grateful for Pat Tillman’s service and sacrifice for our country. When TriWest gave us an opportunity to represent our company for this great foundation, I was definitely in.” – TriWest Claims Reviewer Fina Rascon
A standout Arizona State University student-athlete and Arizona Cardinals professional football All-Pro in 2000, Tillman gave up his playing career to enlist in the U.S. Army and defend the nation after the 9/11 attacks. In 2004, his unit was ambushed in Afghanistan where he was tragically killed in a friendly fire incident.
This year, participants in Pat’s Run included 29 TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) employees – each of whom finished the course and in doing so, showed their support for the Pat Tillman Foundation. The national charitable foundation in Pat’s honor, which co-hosts the event each year with ASU, works to build support for Veterans and active-duty 
Service Members and to carry on Pat Tillman’s legacy through its Tillman Scholars program.
Bruce Jerde, TriWest Integrated Care Contract Manager and an avid runner, ran his first Pat’s Run this year. “Whenever possible I support Veteran-owned businesses and non-profits that support Veterans and the military community,” Bruce said. “I love the Pat Tillman Foundation mission.”
TriWest Claims Reviewer Fina Rascon said, “This is my second year participating in Pat’s Run. I’m grateful for Pat Tillman’s service and sacrifice for our country. When TriWest gave us an opportunity to represent our company for this great foundation, I was definitely in.”
Fina is extremely proud of her son who serves in the U.S. Air Force. “Military personnel serve our country and that makes me so proud of them, and our country,” she said after the race. “When I can, I support the military and our country by standing for the national anthem to thanking a Veteran or active-duty Service Member for their service. I appreciate everything they’ve done for us.”
Alisha Gamble, Provider Operations Team Lead at TriWest, ran her second Pat’s Run this year. “I love the Pat Tillman Foundation’s mission of serving our nation’s military communities,” she said. “And I’m proud TriWest 
is a sponsor. It’s amazing to see so many people come together to show the love and support for our heroes.”
Several of Alisha’s family members have served in the U.S. military and she feels honored to support our nation’s Veterans and organizations that share the same mission. “I have no reason but to celebrate and thank them for the impact they’ve made not only for me, but to millions of people. It’s only right to honor them anyway I can. Pat’s Run is one of the many ways I can support them.”
TriWest has been a proud sponsor of Pat’s Run since the first event in 2005, and is a long-time supporter of the Pat Tillman Foundation, in addition to several other Veterans and military service and support organizations.