About Me

Profile

About: I am a currently a 22 year old BSN student at the University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing. Raised as a U.S. Army brat, I have found myself in a number of places around the world. Not only has this has allowed me to travel (which I wholeheartedly enjoy), but it has also given me the opportunity to meet a vast amount of wonderful, interesting individuals. When I am not spending time with these people, you can also find me in the grass, captivated by a book, or you can find me outside near a refreshing body of water. I also enjoy going on hikes, camping, drinking tea & black coffee, and taking pictures. Over the years, I have learn to become very passionate about the medical field, as well as all of the health-related aspects that come along with it. The only goal I have in life right now is to do what I can with the blessings God has given me, and to make a difference-— even if it is through minuscule gestures.

Why I Ride

On March 31, 2012, I shaved my head at the very first St. Baldrick’s event in front of the University of Texas at Austin tower. I walked down the steps, sporting a soft, bald head. I understood the implications of what was yet to come, but I was more than ready for the judgmental stares, whispers, and questions that people would throw my way. Even though my peers talked about me, I was at peace. “Ah,” I thought, “this is who I am. I finally feel like me”.

Why did I do it? I wanted to learn what it meant to be empathetic. I wanted to be human, to feel the fears that my peers felt. I wanted to fight what seemed impossible to fight. Since I am on my way of becoming a nurse, I want to walk alongside patients with hope and love. Currently, I hope to do this again. However, this time I want to take an even more drastic stance. Before the shave, loved ones and strangers helped me raise over $3000 for pediatric cancer research, and now, I have an even bigger goal: $4,500+ for cancer research. Through this journey, I yearn to cultivate knowledge on the biological and cellular studies of cancer, and yearn to spread cancer-related knowledge amongst peers in an accessible, health-promoting way. I also strive on gaining leadership skills that will allow me to shape communities that I come across, and encourage me to become a much more resilient, impactful individual. I am riding to Anchorage, Alaska, and I hope you will ride along with me, through your encouragement, motivations, and support.

I ride for the numerous loved ones in my life who have been affected by cancer, especially for JP, JJ, and their families. For without these two, my life would be significantly different. I ride for my teammates, who are all fighting their own battles. A handful of them have exemplified the values of endurance, selflessness, and acceptance. Lastly, I ride for anyone who believes that a simple, small idea can manifest itself into a great change in this world.

No matter what, I will not stop until there is nothing left to give. This is the best part about loving a cause: there is always, always, more to give. My heart for the issues relating to the medical field has propelled me in the direction of overcoming personal fears, and I believe that I am on my way to achieving things I used to think were impossible. I am nothing short of confident that Texas 4000, an organization that is passionate about fighting cancer and empathetically standing with cancer patients, will further encourage me to change the world, one mile at a time. This is why I ride, but more importantly, this is why I ride with Texas 4000.