About Us
The Derby City Reunion Weekend (DCRW) was conceived in 2019 as a way for University of Louisville alumni Lamar Jackson and Teddy Bridgewater thank the people of the city for supporting them from college through their professional careers. The pandemic led to an expansion of the mission to focus on the health and wellbeing of Louisville families.
Lamar and Teddy helped evolve DCRW into a family wellness celebration where people of all ages could be proactive in taking charge of their health. While inspiring healthy living and active lifestyles, it was also critical to form partnerships with local businesses and organizations to help catalyze Louisville’s recovery.
The public health crisis took a toll on the community. People put their health on hold. Physical activity declined among youth and adults. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans postponed health care. Even before Covid, 40% skipped recommended medical tests because of the cost. These trends have been especially devastating for Black men and women who experience higher than average cancer mortality and incidents of preventable disease, like Type 2 diabetes.
The Derby City Wellness Day emerged as an educational, impactful and fun experience for people of all ages, combining music, activities and prizes with the opportunity to take meaningful steps toward health. The Derby City Playmakers Reception was designed to acknowledge the consistent, hard work of the businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations that make Louisville a great place to live.
There's an opportunity to make the community stronger by offering residents the tools to lead healthier, more active lives. Serious illness can be prevented with early detection. Tens of thousands of lives can be saved every year by following recommended, age-appropriate health screenings. With the backing of national and local organizations and the generous support of our sponsors, DCRW is connecting residents with free preventive health care resources and free youth sports physicals. DCRW's founders want to make sure there are no barriers preventing people from living their best lives. If the event motivates just one person to catch an early diagnosis that saves their life, it will be something to celebrate.
Our Partners
