Born in the Tip of Texas, I am the first person from my family to pursue their education past high school. When I got accepted into the University of Texas, at least every person of my family owned something burnt orange. Yes, those are my grandparents with the huge longhorn stickers proclaiming their longhorn granddaughter on their vehicles. I’m in my third year at UT, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Running is my way to test and learn about myself. Music is a big part of my life and it is not just sound to me. It’s a memory, a dance, an inside joke, a faster mile when I’m running, and sometimes the smile on my face. I have a brother, who is my other half. No one can quite understand our dry humor that keeps us laughing for hours. I have a sister, who brought me to tears when she said I was her role model. I have loving father and yes my mom is honestly one of my best friends. I have this huge Mexican family that brings out my accent on words and reminds me of the important things in life. My close friends are the family I got to choose and they can tell you just how animated I can be. I wake up thankful of my blessings and the new day I get to see. I like learning, being enlightened, and looking at things in new ways. I live to see people smile and love to make people laugh. I’m passionate about living this life, and making the most of it while I’m here. So I smile because like the Beatles sang, “Here comes the Sun and I say it’s alright.”

When I heard word of my grandfather’s diagnosis of Kidney Cancer, my world changed. Cancer is something we face – something we do not fully understand till this day. It claims the lives of people we know and love. It has been said one in three people will face this dreadful disease. Cancer researchers are trying to find the prevention and cure. Despite major advances in our modern world today, a cure is not known to exist. There are various treatment options, which save lives every day. However the cure to stop cancer is yet to be found.

There are many different types of cancer, and it is not judgemental. Cancer knows no gender, no race, and no age. Anyone can be diagnosed. Alongside these people are those who are touched by cancer. They see their loved ones battle this disease and some will not win. This is why a cure is so desperately needed. This affects everyone, which in itself is motivation. If everyone did their part towards the finding of this cure the results are sure to be phenomenal. Texas 4000 is one way one can be a part of this progress. To install education and knowledge of the cause, and help raise money to find the way to put an end to the disease.

Cancer research is so important to make progress towards a future where cancer no longer takes the lives of people we love. There is still so much to be done. Understood that everyone is not a researcher, everyone can still play a major role. Everyone has a part in finding the cure. Until cancer has stopped claiming lives, I will be giving my best efforts day in and day out to do my part. Texas 4000 is an opportunity of a lifetime where one can effectively raise money, spread the word and knowledge to people, and symbolizes the continuing struggle with a journey from Texas to Alaska. People with cancer, fight for their lives. To be a part of Texas 4000 where I can help those who fight and remember those who have fought with this terrible disease would be an extraordinary honor.

I ride for my grandfather, Popo. He was there for every kite day in elementary, track meet, volleyball game, graduation, you name it. He has always been there for me. He was diagnosed with cancer my junior year in high school and was sent to MD Anderson and with one surgery, became a survivor. His strength, will, and person that did not diminish showed me what kind of person I want to be. I am willing, given the opportunity, to portray the strength he has shown me, in this organization by doing my part in charity and spreading knowledge for cancer research.