TUCSON, Ariz. (Nov. 25, 2025) — Banner – University Medicine Tucson organized a 10-rider team for this year’s El Tour de Tucson on Saturday, Nov. 22, and partnered with El Grupo Youth Cycling to support youth sports.
As part of the partnership, Banner supplied El Grupo’s riders with functional cycling jerseys, which replaced the T-shirts youth athletes had previously worn on race day. The jerseys were modeled after the Banner University Medicine Tucson team design and inspired by the spotted pattern of the Gila monster.
Riders also received special treatment and shared a dedicated space with the Banner riders before and after the event to warm up, rest and enjoy post-ride pizza and refreshments.
“Our riders were excited to represent Banner – University Medicine with the custom jerseys, and they loved spending time at the Banner tent before and after the race,” said Jeff Cheever, programs and operations manager for El Grupo.
The El Grupo team included the 70 youth and coach riders who trained for three months and collectively rode more than 3,000 miles on Saturday.
This partnership aligns closely with Banner’s focus on healthy lifestyles and marked a meaningful collaboration between two local mission-driven, non-profit organizations dedicated to strengthening the community.
“El Tour de Tucson brought our community together around wellness, resilience and fun,” said Alison Flynn Gaffney, chief executive officer of Banner – University Medicine Tucson. “We are incredibly proud of our riders and El Grupo’s inspiring junior cyclists. We want our community to feel supported and encouraged to stay active for life.”
Banner Sports Medicine also supported riders along the course. Athletic trainers, sports medicine physicians, emergency medicine physicians and paramedics were stationed throughout the route to address race-day needs and ensure safe participation.
Banner University Medicine Tucson looks forward to continuing this partnership and supporting healthy lives in our community.
About Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South
Banner – University Medical Center Tucsonand Banner – University Medical Center South are part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. These institutions are academic medical centers for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Included on the two campuses are Diamond Children's Medical Center and many specialty clinics. The two academic medical centers are part of Arizona-based Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country. Banner Health is in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/universitytucson or bannerhealth.com/universitysouth.
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