Texas 4000’s Mission
"To cultivate student leaders and engage communities in the fight against cancer."
This mission is carried out through Texas 4000’s three pillars, Hope, Knowledge, and Charity.
Hope
Texas 4000 is the longest annual charity ride in the world. Throughout this ride, we share hope by riding 4,500 miles across the continent. Along our way we share our stories and also carry along stories that are shared with us. Hope is what keeps people fighting and it is our mission to help people keep fighting by sharing hope.
Knowledge
As we ride to Alaska, we stop at many communities and cities along the way. At these stops, we inform communities about various cancer prevention methods and the importance of early detection. We hope that they will pass the knowledge onto their friends and family, helping to reduce the rates of cancer throughout the continent.
Charity
As an advocate in the fight against cancer, Texas 4000 contributes too many organizations and programs involved in cancer research and prevention. Texas 4000 is a registered 501(c) nonprofit foundation whose main goal is to contribute to the fight against cancer through awarding grants. A few main recipients of Texas 4000 grants are MD Anderson Cancer Center, LIVESTRONG Foundation, The University of Texas at Austin Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Brent’s Place (accommodates children undergoing cancer treatment).
About the Ride
Beginning in the fall of 2015, I will begin training for my ride to Alaska with 84 fellow students at the University of Texas at Austin. The training requires each member to bike a minimum of 1,500 miles before embarking on the ride. Texas 4000’s main concern is safety, so if members do not wear proper safety equipment, do not log enough training hours, or do not follow standard safety procedures, then they will be excused from the ride. There is also always a SAG vehicle supporting us the whole time which we will take shifts driving, setting up rest stops, and helping any rider in the case of an accident.
Throughout our training year, the 2016 Texas 4000 team will plan every detail of the ride from sleeping arrangements to food. We rely on the generosity of host families, churches, and schools for shelter, but are prepared to camp when housing is not available.
On June 4th 2016, my team will embark on a 70 day journey to Alaska. During the first 60 days of the ride, the team is split into 3 routes; Sierra, Rockies, and Ozarks, to maximize the reach of Texas 4000’s efforts to spread cancer awareness. Throughout the ride, we will stop and talk to communities about cancer prevention and early detection, and we will also share our stories and hear others’. During the other ten days, the entire 2016 team will ride together as we approach Alaska, celebrating their huge success as a team.
Every day we will begin our ride by gathering in a circle and reflecting on our mission as Texas 4000. We share our ride dedications for the day, honoring loved ones or people we have met along the way.
Learn More about Texas 4000 for Cancer Here!