Profile

Why I Ride

I joined Texas 4000 for Cancer because I am truly inspired by what the members of Texas 4000 stand for. Cancer is a disease that my family and many of my friends have been affected by.
I ride for my grandpa, Gumpy. He died from stage four colon cancer on February 19th, 2007 when I was eight years old. Although he lived in San Antonio and my family was in Southern California he was my greatest supporter and loved me more than anything.
I ride for Mrs. Shelly Macy, my dance teacher that I learned from for 7 years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer which she fought for two years before going into remission. One year later her breast cancer returned and had metastasized. Despite her constant discomfort she always made it to class to teach us and spend time at the studio. Everyone that she met was touched by her passion, beauty, and kindness. I strive to make Mrs. Shelly proud every day and live life to the fullest just as she did.
I ride as a member of the 2019 Texas 4000 team because I want to share my stories of the amazing people I have had and still have in my life who have been affected by cancer. I want to hear others’ stories and help people through the hardships of this disease. More importantly, I want to be a part of a group of people who are so engaged and passionate about advocating cancer research and are ready to take action to promote change. I believe that Texas 4000 is a group of phenomenal individuals who are guided and brought together by their desire to do good in the world. Texas 4000 makes me proud to be a Texas student and I cannot think of anything in my years as an undergraduate student that could bring me more fulfillment than riding and promoting such an amazing cause in such an impactful way. It is so hard for me to express the fire within me in writing, but I hope if nothing else I can at least convey my gratitude and love for what this organization stands for and the wonderful people that make it what it is.