I am a senior undergraduate in electrical engineering here in Austin. I am actually from Austin and used skateboard here on campus as a kid. This last summer I did an internship in Boulder, CO, so I have an idea of what kind of terrain we will be riding over...pretty tough! We will start at about 500'

and go to elevations well over a mile high. What Chris Condit and company did last summer was amazing so I hope to meet this challenge as they did, with compassion for others, courage, and a real sense of adventure.

As I talk to people about the ride we are doing this summer, almost everyone has had some experience with it. It's amazing to me that so many people have been affected by the same disease in one way or another. Looking back on my own relationships, I have known several people who are either suffering from the disease or have lost a loved one from it. As I get involved in this endeavor, the more I learn about cancer. I hope to bring this awareness to others.

Looking through the pictures and stories from last year, the riders visiting cancer patients really impressed me because I know that the patients and their families were touched by the caring of strangers. Even though we are strangers to the people that we meet along the way, we all share the same commitment of killing the killer.