I did the first half of my growing up in central Dallas with my mom, dad and older sister Jennifer. Living just a trip through the trees to the White Rock Bike Trail has clouded what memory I may have of not being on a bike. As a young kid I struggled with asthma. This caused a few midnight visits to the E.R. or kept me awake at night with a strange contraption strapped over my face to breathe. "Get him active or he will never get better". Those were Pediatrician Paines' final words of warning. I was soon dropped right into a swimming and soccer regimen in addition to other surprise activity enlistments to which I did not consent. That early "forced" activity not only got me better but fostered an active trait in my personality. Since then I have been able to press my physical endurance limits if I so desire and not have to worry as much about those outside complications.

Although I have been fortunate enough not to be personally affected by cancer at this point, some close friends and family members have not had the same cards dealt. The experience that I have had with cancer alongside these people coupled with my early history of working through an illness encourages me to do what I am capable of while the opportunity is still there.

There is undoubtedly none of us who are immune to all of the challenges and struggles which life has in store for us from first breath to last. Cancer is one of those challenges which is indiscriminate upon those it physically affects. I feel that we all share in the task of maximizing quality of life for those next to us and after us. This ride and this organization give one unique opportunity to take a crack at reducing a problem that affects us all.