I am a native Texan, born and raised in and around San Antonio (Go Spurs!). I love Texas and can't imagine life without it. That doesn't mean I'm not interested in my heritage, though. My family came from Norway, I can speak Norwegian, and I think that Norway is nifty. People describe me as a very happy person and I tend to agree. I always try to see the best of every situation. I am very active in my church, University United Methodist, where I am co-chair of the Student Advisory Board and a member of the Administrative Council. I am a psychology and sociology major who studied in Israel and Egypt this past summer. There, I studied suicide terrorism and got a much-needed tan. I love to travel and hope to visit all seven continents in my lifetime. I work at the Office of the Dean of Students for the Services for Students with Disabilities division. In my free time, I volunteer through my church, read non-school literature as often as possible, sing, listen to music, dance, nap, laugh, meet people, spend time with my wonderful friends and family, go to the gym, and generally enjoy myself.

When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of my freshman year of college, it changed my life. Members of my family, such as my grandfather and former step-brother, had been diagnosed and treated for cancer before, but never someone this close or with treatment this intense. I was devastated as I saw my mother go through 8 months of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy and removal of some lymph nodes, and daily radiation for 6 weeks. I couldn't understand why even the most sophisticated technology couldn't detect her cancer, much less eradicate it from her body. Through her treatments, she remained strong and courageous. Her "faith, hope, and love," as she puts it, pulled her through the disease and continues to be the glue that holds our family together. She has been cancer-free for over a year now. Not all people are as lucky as my mom, though. This past April, my great-uncle Bob succumbed to lung cancer. I am thrilled to be a part in Texas 4000 because I know there are millions of people out there who have and will fight cancer with the same "faith, hope, and love" that my mother has, but not all will survive. Nobody deserves this terrible disease and the members of Texas 4000 help prevent it. By giving myself to this ride and this cause, I hope to give cancer victims the courage and faith to keep fighting and to prevent others from suffering as my mom and Uncle Bob have.