The summer scholars and four Texas 4000 2016 riders–Jen, Aatiq, Annie, and Laura–made cards of encouragement for each of the 2015 Sierra team riders and sent it to their Day 45 mail drop in Portland!
2015
Cancer Community
Millions of people are directly, or indirectly, impacted by cancer.
A cancer community is one of the many reasons why the fight against cancer has such a great impact.
As humans our instinct is to form groups to optimize our survival. We form communities around topics that impact us as a whole. Cancer impacts the entire human race not just one subgroup. Communities allow us to feel safe and have a sense of belonging. Feeling that you belong somewhere where people share the same struggle as you, gives you hope that life will turn out well. We thrive off of the happiness and hopes of our fellow people. When a researcher is having a bad day there is always someone there to help. When a cancer patient is having a round of chemo, there are support groups for them. No one should have to go through the grueling process of cancer therapy, and for that reason we have formed a cancer community.
After skyping with the Texas 4000 Rockies team while they were in Big Fork, MT (photo above), it was clearly evident that they were one big family. They look out for each other both on and off the road. They travel in groups because no one person can ride 4000 miles without help. The riders have each other’s back so that no one gets hurt and/or left behind, and that is why having a cancer community is so important.
-Stefani Maris, LSU
Letter to Texas 4000 Rider: Isaac Reyes
Dear Isaac,
The journey you embarked on is something I’m sure you are proud of and have trained endlessly for. I want to say thank you for having the courage to put yourself through this because ultimately you are a reason for hope. Spreading awareness and riding for a cause is one step forward in this battle against cancer. Being in the BME CUReS Cancer program has allowed me the opportunity to grow and develop as an individual. You and I have a goal in mind and ultimately in the end it is to ensure that we are closer to understanding how to defeat cancer. In the moments of your ride when you may be struggling mentally and physically I do hope you remember you’re not in this alone. Your fellow riders are there and those of us in the labs are on your side for support.
My journey began with a lab notebook and will end here in a lab notebook and the knowledge I gain will be carried on. Keep on riding and moving forward my friend, there is no obstacle that you can’t overcome in this ride. When you do finish this ride just remember there is more still to be done but your part has made a difference. Your riding motivates me to expand my knowledge of cancer each day I am here for research. I do hope you and those around you stay safe and are all truly aware of the impact that is being made!
Lead the way, keep moving forward, leave nobody behind, and stay AWESOME!
Sincerely,
Matthew Vasquez, PVAMU
Isaac Reyes is a UT Austin Mechanical Engineering Student and Texas 4000 rider currently on the Sierra Team!
