Just imagine waking up one morning to an irregular lump on the side of your neck. You don’t feel any different in terms of discomfort from the previous night, but you realize something has obviously changed in your body. You go to the doctor and have the strange lump examined for safety and reassurance. What you find out next shakes up your entire world forever. You are told that you have cancer. Things that were important to you yesterday just fade away as your mind attempts to understand what will become of your new life. Cancer steals loved ones from families, dreams away from the youth, and darkens lives. I joined the Texas 4000 in hopes that my efforts will stop this pattern of thought. Cancer can be beaten. And it will be beaten. I hope to show that ultimately cancer is weaker than the human spirit. We all can be EMPOWERED to do amazing things in our lives and my trip to Alaska is a tribute to those looking for strength. I ride for those who cannot.