About Me

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Why I Ride

Watching the strongest person in my life become the weakest person in my life ignited a flame in me. A flame whose fire held hopes, aspirations, and a desire to contribute to putting an end to the debilitating disease of cancer. During the summer of 2013 my father was diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma, meaning cancer in the lining of internal organs that spreads from its primary location to other parts of the body. This cancer had spread from his lymph nodes to the tissue in his mouth leading to the extraction of all his teeth and removal of two lymph nodes, all which altered life as he knew it drastically. Many blessings later, my father was able to triumph through his battle and today is cancer free and stronger than ever before. He turned what seemed to be a tragedy into an opportunity to better his life. My family and I are thankful beyond words can convey that he has that “today”. “Today”, a blessing many do not get to see; millions of people along with my grandfather, aunt, and uncle have been forced to give up their lives to cancer.


How many more lives will be taken? How many more days till someone’s last? How many more loved ones and strangers, will be so helplessly affected? How many is too many? All questions that remain unanswered by one of the leading life-takers -- one that has plagued our world for far too many years. Cancer simply does not discriminate, show mercy, or ask before it invades one’s life. It has the power to dismantle, destruct, and drain a person entirely. Now let’s put this into perspective: by the time you are finished reading this, approximately 80 people will have discovered they are diagnosed with cancer. That makes 1,600 people in one hour, 38,000 people in one day, and 14,000,000 people in one year. But these numbers fail to include the millions who are completely unaware they are being affected by this tremendous disease. It is disheartening to see these numbers rise affecting people of all genders, ages, and descents -- I would ride for them. I would ride for those who know, know someone who knows, and those who have no idea.


I alone hold a flame of fire, while the members of Texas 4000 form a blaze. Each with this singular desire to spread hope, to help, and to heal the plethora of lives affected by cancer. Texas 4000 presents the opportunity to join the battle against cancer beyond my family, beyond my community, and even beyond this country. It allows me to be a part of something much more profound than just “I”, by working with a team in order to make a significant contribution towards a cancer free world. Along this journey I want to share hope for those who have
been directly and indirectly affected by cancer, share the knowledge of cancer prevention, and make a charitable contribution to the research of cancer.