JULY 24, 2019
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Texas 4000’s Long Ride for a Cure Texas 4000 riders with Town of Vegreville and Fire Department’s professionals. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent The Texas 4000 riders took on the trek to ride the longest annual charity bike ride in the world all in the name of fighting cancer by passing on hope, knowledge, and charity. People had a chance to meet the Texas 4000 team who are students from the University of Texas at Austin and who were on the Ozarks route when they stopped at the Vegreville Elks/Kinsmen Park on July 17 when on their 47th day of 70 days of their journey which started on May 31 at Austin, Texas. At the park, Texas 4000 riders expressed why they were motivated to ride and what the experience was like for them so far. Caroline Bik said she was participating in this ride in honor of one of her friends who passed away from cancer two years ago when he was 21. “I was studying with him at university and the cancer just came on very suddenly. I think about him every day. It was hard on his family. I hope that other families don’t have to go through with that,” Caroline said. “I get to meet a lot of people on this ride and I get to hear their stories of cancer survivors and those who are not with us anymore. We have ridden 2600 miles so far. Every day is so different because you see many different things around you and you are riding with different people; it’s different weather too. It is a beautiful and challenging experience because you know that you are carrying other people with you and you are surrounded by so much love and friendship with the team that you are on that it makes it easier to get through each day. Also, we get to meet the communities and that is a really good experience.” Tricia Dillawn explained the reason she is riding is because she had three family members who have been affected
by cancer. Her aunt, Beth passed away from cancer when Tricia was seven. “My aunt had four kids, so my mom really stepped into the parental role. Also, two of my grandparents passed away from cancer in the last couple of years. I also worked at an Oncology Cancer Clinic for the last one and a half years. This really had an impact on me because the physician I worked for was the most influential person for me because I am in pre-med school now. He has such a good bedside manner that he is an influential factor on how I will conduct my practice,” Tricia said. “The ride has been amazing so far. There have been highs and lows. You get to really experience the outdoors. I have gone on long road trips and it is not the same when you are not physically outside.” Brandon Nguyen said he is riding because he had a grandfather when he was younger who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when it was way too late. He, unfortunately, passed away. He was a father figure to him and it was hard on his parents, aunts, and uncles to lose this central figure in the family. “I’m riding because I don’t want other families to have to go through with that,” Brandon explained. “Another reason I’m riding is when I was 13, I had a cousin who at the age of nine was diagnosed with cancer. This was a cousin who I played a lot with when I was young. She is fortunately in remission now. She will be 19 soon and will be attending university this fall. I am so proud of her. But seeing what she went through also showed me that cancer doesn’t discriminate; it impacts everyone. My story isn’t unique and I have learned everyone has been impacted by cancer in one form or another. I ride to make a difference in the world. What keeps me motivated every day is the realization that what we do really pales in comparison to what cancer’s patients
and survivors go through.” After their stop at the park, the Texas 4000 rode to the Vegreville Fire Hall where the Fire Fighters’ professional, personnel, and volunteers treated them to a nice dinner and some firefighting training. Before Texas 4000 left, they were also given breakfast.
Texas 4000 is a non-profit organization with a mission to cultivate student leaders and engage communities in the fight against cancer. If you want to make an impact too, you can find out more information or how to donate at texas4000.org
