I have spent most of my life living in Katy, TX, a suburb located just west of Houston. I have an older sister and younger brother and I love being the middle child. I have played just about every sport but eventually found my love for music and joined the high school drum line. Nothing beats the feeling of playing the drums in front of hundreds of screaming fans at a football game or pep rally. Aside from sports and drum line, I was active in my Church, volunteering in my community, and Boy Scouts, eventually achieving the rank of Eagle.

When I first heard about Texas 4000 I thought to myself, “Wow, these people must be crazy riding a bike all the way to Alaska!" But then I looked into Texas 4000 and saw the way they were changing the lives of cancer patients, survivors, and everyone affected by this horrible disease. I saw the hope and care they spread across the continent and soon realized that the bike ride itself was only a portion of Texas 4000. I am riding for Texas 4000 because I want to make a difference in the fight against cancer and give hope and support to those affected by it.

Unfortunately, cancer seems to have affected every single person on this planet either through personal experience, a family member, or friend. Cancer is definitely out there and seems to have no rhyme nor reason for choosing its victims. This is what makes it so scary. Cancer treatment has made great leaps in the past few decades and with time, will eventually lead to a cure. Until then, we need groups like Texas 4000 to provide support for those affected by this horrible disease, and to provide knowledge of early detection and prevention to thousands of people around the country. And most importantly we need groups like Texas 4000 to fight on the sides of cancer patients against the disease and give them hope for a brighter future.

If riding a bike to Alaska will inspire even just one cancer patient to fight a little harder, then sign me up, it is more than worth it.