BROWNSVILLE STUDENT WILL RIDE FROM AUSTIN TO ALASKA TO BENEFIT CANCER VICTIMS

By Laura Garcia

click here for Laura's profile

On June 1, 2012, 50 UT students and I, representing the LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 2012 team, will embark on a 70 day mission to serve as inspiration and aid for all those individuals that have been affected by cancer in one way or another. This mission consists of biking 4500+ miles from the University of Texas campus all the way to Anchorage

, Alaska with the goal of spreading the values of Hope, Knowledge and Charity throughout the ride and making an impact in the fight against cancer.

This ride is the longest charity ride in the world. Half of us will travel through the Rockies and the other half along the coast of California. We split the team into two in order to reach more people throughout our journey. The team meets in Canada and travels the last few days of the trip together to cross Alaska. Along the way we give presentations spreading knowledge and awareness about how you can help prevent cancer. We also speak to cancer survivors and families who are currently battling cancer to show them that there are others out there fighting with them and for them.

Since its initiation in 2004, by a student who suffered from cancer himself and decided to combine his passion of cycling and fighting cancer, Texas 4000 has raised over $2.5 million for the fight against cancer. In the past, the team’s donations have supported M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and UT Biomedical Research, as well as cancer support services like those at LIVESTRONG. Each rider is responsible for raising a minimum of $4500. That is approximately $1 for every mile we ride. With your help, I hope to raise all that and then some. Our team goal is to surpass that and raise $400,000 before we leave. With much help from our numerous sponsors, last year we were able donate 88% of the money we raised to promote cancer research. We hope to bring that number closer to 100% in the future. For us to achieve this goal, we need your help. There is never too little a donation. Even a penny makes a difference!
There several ways that you can donate:

1. You can message me

a. your home address/contact information and I can send you more information about the ride and how to contribute.

b. http://texas4000.org/user/profile/10384

2. Online.
Visit texas4000.kintera.org/2012 and on the left side click on “sponsor participant” in the search box type in Laura Garcia and then click on the name. You can enter the amount you wish to donate in the box.

3. By Check.
Pay to the order of “Texas 4000 for Cancer”, with "Laura Garcia" in the memo line, and mail it to:
Texas 4000
901 S. Mopac Building
Building 1, Suite 300
Austin, TX 78746

4. In person.
I'd love to meet with you personally to hear your story and tell you more about why I ride.
ALL DONATIONS TO TEXAS 4000 ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE since we are a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit.

Even if you can't donate, you can help by inviting others to this event to spread the word! Tell your family, friends, and coworkers. The more people who hear about our mission the better!

If you would like to find out more information about Texas4000 feel free to message me via Facebook or send me an e-mail to lauram.garcia21@gmail.com. We dedicate each workout, ride and day of our journey to someone we know who has dealt with cancer. I would love to hear your story and remember you or your loved one along the way. You can also find out more information by going to our official website http://www.texas4000.org/.

Thank you for your support!

-Laura Garcia