This event, organized by the URI Pre-Physical Therapy Club and Doctor of Physical Therapy program, is inspired by the rising opioid epidemic in Rhode Island and the American Physical Therapy Association's national #ChoosePT campaign. In the CDC's 2016 statistics, Rhode Island was ranked as the 9th highest state in the country for drug overdose mortality rates. As aspiring healthcare professionals, our mission for the Run Your Life 5K is to promote multidisciplinary strategies and to inform the community of safer and more appropriate options for pain management.

The entirety of the proceeds from the Run Your Life 5K will be donated directly to the Jim Gillen Anchor Youth Recovery Center, a new resource for youth and teens struggling with substance abuse, run by The Providence Center. The Jim Gillen Anchor Youth Recovery Center will be the first youth community center in Rhode Island providing access to recovery support in a positive social environment. The center will provide immediate access to 1-on-1 recovery coaches alongside a full range of age-appropriate recovery supports: specialized support groups, recovery meetings, parent involvement, homework assistance, and job search support. More importantly, the Community Center would include activities that are fun and help to create new, healthy friendships that promote trust. The hallmark of this program is the assumption that peer relationships are necessary to facilitate recovery.

This event also offers access to local resources, advice and activities at the #ChooseYou Healthy Lifestyles Expo, featuring a number of stations with graduate and undergraduate students from various aspects of healthcare. The Expo will offer take-home information that you can use to promote your own healthy lifestyle, or gather for loved ones