Profile

About: Hi y'all! I'm Cate Layne, and I cannot wait to embark on the journey to Alaska alongside my absolutely incredible 2023 teammates. I am truly the luckiest person in the world to have the opportunity to work with such incredible people for such an incredible cause.

I am from Round Rock, TX, and am currently a sophomore at UT majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Upon my graduation, I plan to work in executive coaching or change management. Texas 4000 taught (and continues to teach!) me of the joys and gratification of working with and alongside non-profits, which I hope to continue to do in my free time for the rest of my life.

Aside from Texas 4000 (and being swamped with my engineering homework), I am heavily involved in my sorority, Kappa Delta. I am extremely passionate about our two philanthropies, Girl Scouts of America and Prevent Child Abuse America. These organizations, alongside Texas 4000 for Cancer, establish and develop core values of confidence, leadership, and community, which are integral to my character. In my free time, I love to challenge myself in the gym, run half marathons, rock climb, see live music performances, go backpacking, travel, explore events in Austin, spend time with friends, and read.

I am beyond grateful to be part of this team in the fight against cancer! Thank you so much for reading <3

Why I Ride

Upon my acceptance into this program, I was met with three primary reactions:

1) Why would you want to spend an entire summer riding 4,000 miles to Alaska?
2) What does biking 4,000 miles have to do with fundraising for cancer research?
3) What can I do to help?

Admittedly, the final reaction is certainly a lot easier to answer than the other two! (In case you were wondering-- donating to my JustGiving page, buying my merch (launch TBD), spreading the word with your family and friends, helping me finance cycling/ camping gear for the summer, verbal encouragement, and positive energy sent towards my team and I are all much appreciated!)

But deep down, I know that even those who want to help have probably wondered what exactly was going through my head when I decided I wanted to bike to Alaska.. And I can't exactly blame them.

The truth is, I can’t exactly explain it either. All I know is this: tell me something insane, impossible, outrageous, extraordinary, and it gets moved to the top of my to-do list. I figure that I might as well spend my life doing all of the wild and precious things that draw my 20-year-old, young and brash self like a moth to a flame.

Everything I have ever done in my entire life has been in unconscious preparation for this metaphysical journey. Being a part of Texas 4000 wasn’t a want, or a need, or a desire, or a craving. It just happened, independent of reason or rationale. I hadn’t truly known what it was like to fully and wholly be in my element until Texas 4000 came into my life. This is my purpose. And here I am: drinking its sweet nectar like a hummingbird– hungrily and instinctually.

I have been enormously blessed to have not lost any loved ones in the fight against cancer. My attraction to Texas 4000 stems, rather, from both its leadership development programs, the nonprofit grants we are able to provide to radically improve and add value to others’ lives, and the physical and spiritual elements from one hell of an expedition.

Through this organization, I have come to realize what I believe the purpose of my life is: to encourage and inspire others to lead meaningful and beautiful lives. But as much as Texas 4000 has enriched my life, I want to give back to this organization and those we serve tenfold.

Please let me know what I can do to help advocate for you and your loved ones’ stories this summer. Whether it’s a cause that benefitted someone you know facing a cancer diagnosis or just lending a supporting ear, I am here to support you here, now, and forever.

To Alaska and back,
Cate Layne