About Me

Profile

About: My name is Jasmine, and I am currently pursuing a degree in Biology (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior). I was born and raised in Austin, attended Westlake High School, and am completing my fourth year at the University of Texas.

Texas 4000 first caught my attention during the fall of my freshman year. I saw a flyer on a bulletin board, and it really hit home. My grandmother was battling lymphoma. It absolutely blew my mind there were people (STUDENTS!) raising money for cancer research by biking to ALASKA! But I told myself that such a feat was impossible for someone like me. I probably couldn't manage a single pushup, much less ride a road bike across the continent!

By the fall of my third year, my mindset had changed completely. My grandmother was gone. More and more people I knew were being diagnosed. I wanted to be part of Texas 4000. I wanted in on the fight.

(To learn more about the ride itself, please click on the "About" tab at the top of this webpage or take a look at this page on my blog: http://biketofight.wordpress.com/help-me-bike-to-alaska/ )

I may not have a background in biking, but I do enjoy dancing, martial arts (Krav Maga), traveling, and reading. My favorite icons / role models include Steve Irwin, Theodore Roosevelt, Bruce Lee, and Wonder Woman. Their passion, determination, discipline, and ability to do combat in high heels are traits that I admire greatly.

Then of course there are my parents, Doug and Val. They have always been very loving and supportive of me and my two brothers, Josh and Zaq. (Zaq chose the spelling.) My father is a doctor, and my mom is an artist. Josh, my older brother, loves to cook and has a career in the culinary industry. Zaq, two years my junior, is studying engineering at Rice University.

My father is an emergency physician, and my grandfather was an anesthesiologist. For a long time, I seriously considered following their footsteps into the field of medicine and becoming a dermatologist. I would love to help people learn more about skin care and cancer prevention. Plus, I'm kind of obsessed with skincare, cosmetics, and sunscreen. People always ask, "Does it smell like the beach to anyone else? Who is wearing sunscreen?" It is me... It is always me...

However, I've finally realized my true passion is for the environment and conservation. Besides the humans, my family consists of a German shepherd/chow chow mix, a cat, and a sun conure. One summer, I participated in a NOLS backpacking/sea kayaking course. During this time, I became fascinated by the environment, how it is being impacted by people, and the essential role it plays in human health. Recently, I studied land use issues and rain forest conservation in Costa Rica. I am somewhat of a recycling fanatic. Right now, I volunteer at Austin Wildlife Rescue, an organization which cares for sick, injured, and abandoned critters.

Here's my Meet the Team video. (P.S. I am terrified of video cameras...) Thanks for watching!


To find out what I am up to now: visit my blog http://biketofight.wordpress.com/

To make a donation online: visit my official my official Kintera page.

To make a donation with a check:
Pay to the Order of “Texas 4000” and put “Jasmine Mills” in the for/memo line. Mail to:
Texas 4000
901 S. Mopac Building
Building 1, Suite 300
Austin, TX 78746

Thanks for reading!

Why I Ride

Cancer has affected all of us in some way -- personally, or through the suffering of a friend, co-worker, teacher, or family member.

I ride for my grandmother, Rose Wong Kang, who passed away due to lymphoma in November 2010.

She was "Por Por" (Chinese/Cantonese for grandmother) to me and I will always miss her. One of the most caring and nurturing people I have ever met, her children and grandchildren meant the world to her. She always wanted updates on what we were up to and how we were doing.

Whenever my family came to visit, Por Por shared her love through food. In her house, the kitchen was always bustling with activity and the air was often thick with delicious aromas. For a long time, she kept a stash of chicken-flavored ramen noodles and sugar cubes in her pantry, because that was all that I ate, and I was "too skinny."

Watching Por Por grow weaker and become thin herself was extremely hard. Eventually, she couldn't eat at all. When my mom brought Por Por a birthday cake, we knew that she wouldn't be eating it with us. But we still shared that meal together, as the family sat around the hospital bed, talking, reminiscing. Two days later, Por Por passed away, surrounded by family.

I hate cancer for making my grandmother suffer. If she was alive now, I am certain she would be following my Texas 4000 ride every step of the way (in her camper van of course)! I love you Por Por. You will never be forgotten.

I ride for my friends and their families, who have had to watch their loved ones battle cancer. If you would like me to ride for someone, please let me know.

I ride for knowledge. Not only knowledge that might contribute to a cure, but also knowledge about lifestyle choices that could aid in the prevention of this disease. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Together, we can fight to stop cancer.