July 20, 2015, Filed Under: 2015, cancer, graduate school, texas4000Letter to Texas 4000 Rider: Joey Dominguez Hello Joey, After reading your bio I realized that we share many things in common. Your vibrant explanation of our Mexican-American culture demonstrates how we are hardworking and vibrant people, that love life and are willing to share that passion with the rest of the world. We both demonstrate to have a passion for biology and the various aspects of the subject that make it a challenging journey but also one filled with knowledge and wonder. As for this summer, we both are committed to a new journey that will allow us to demonstrate our unity and knowledge towards our cause. You have demonstrated your commitment towards the fight against cancer via your participation in the Texas 4000 bike ride. As well as forming part of a community of riders that emphasize the importance of a supportive community when fighting against cancer. I want to thank you as well as all the riders for committing to this journey. Source: Peaceproject.com As for me, I am a traveling research scholar visiting from California committed to biomedical research. UT Austin and the people I’ve met here have made my research experience a great and memorable one. Just like you and the riders I also form part of a community of scholars who are committed to cancer research and motivated to initiate a better understanding of cancer. We are all studying various aspects of cancer research within the biomedical engineering field. Every week we devote our time to lab and our summer project which adds a piece to a puzzle of knowledge. So far I have learned many things in lab and I am very motivated to purse my graduate career in biomedical research. I am very fortunate to have experience Texas and its unique culture, as well as, experiencing the Texas 4000 with you all has been an amazing experience. We are united for the same cause, to fight against cancer. Always remember to finish strong and never forget that “Si se puede”, we can do it. Sincerely, Alejandra Preciado, UC Merced Joey Dominguez is a UT Austin Plan II and Biochemistry student, and Texas 4000 rider currently on the Ozarks Team!
July 13, 2015, Filed Under: 2015, fun, texas4000Day 45 for Texas 4000 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!
July 6, 2015, Filed Under: 2015, cancer, reflections, texas4000Cancer 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
