Letter to Texas 4000 Rider: Diana Zhang (Rockies Route)

Dear Diana,

My name is Jubin George, and I am currently a rising sophomore from the University of Arizona. Currently, I am at the University of Texas at Austin for the summer researching tumor spheroids and ways to image them. While looking through the profiles of the different riders, I was able to relate to something that you mentioned in yours. Fortunately, just like you, I have never had to deal with any of my immediate family members getting affected by cancer. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that I have been totally immune to the effects of cancer. During my senior year, my English teacher was also diagnosed with breast cancer. A friend of mine lost her mother to lung cancer about 6 years age. Seeing her and her sister having to deal with their mom’s death was heartbreaking.

I still remember thinking what I can do to help. Cancer appears to be such huge obstacle and even today, it sometimes makes me think if I could even make a difference. This is where you and Texas 4000 come in.

Knowing that I am not alone in this fight against cancer gives me hope.

It makes me realize that we are all in this together. And for that, I thank you.

Right now, it looks like you are in Smithers, British Columbia. I wish you good luck for the rest of your journey and hope that you finish strong and safely. And again, I want to say thank you for making me and numerous others realize that we are not alone in this fight.

-Jubin George, University of Arizona

Diana Zhang is a 2019 Texas 4000 rider currently rider from Austin to Anchorage with the Rockies Team