My name is Allie, and I was born in Houston, TX to my amazing mom in October 1987, and was surrounded by a very close, loving family from then on. Growing up, I was a huge tomboy, and loved sports…and school. I absolutely love Austin TX, my family, my friends, being outdoors, and my Little. I’ve been involved in BigBrothers BigSisters of America for a while now, and my little, Kierra, is awesome and a big inspiration for me to be a good role model. Right now, I’m learning Chinese, so that I can eventually work with or in China doing environmental economics.

My personal experience with cancer is, thankfully, only through other people’s experiences. I’ve seen amazing families torn apart because of it, though. The family, in particular, whose son my ride is dedicated to, is an amazingly strong family, with some of the most sincere hearts I have encountered, and for them to be devastated by this seems so unfair. Being in college, I feel like it’s hard for me to make a difference without a lot of money, which is what got me interested in the BigBrothers BigSisters program, as well as the Texas 4000. I am so excited to ride for this cause and inspire others to make a difference as well!

I ride for Ashraf and Samer Qumsieh, who died in October of 2008 from cancer. The Quimseh family is very close to our family, and they are some of the most honest and sincere people someone could come to know. His mother has been a close friend of my grandma for some time now, and I have known them since I was 12. Ashraf was their oldest son, and he made them so very proud. Ashraf was a very dedicated student, and was very ambitious. He was three weeks away from his Medical School graduation ceremony when he passed away. He lived for less than a year after he was diagnosed. Their younger son, Samer, was diagnosed less than one year after Ashraf lost his battle with cancer. After a heroic fight, he also lost his life to cancer in 2010, just 14 short months after Ashraf. I ride for this amazing family as they go through this very difficult time.