About Me

Profile

About: I was born and raised in northwest Indiana, right near Chicago. I have a wonderful family with my mom, dad, and younger brother and sister. Without their support and love, I would not have been able to attend UT and become the person I am today. I owe my success to them. I still remember when we were sitting at an information session, my dad turned and said, “this is it”. I smiled and replied, “I know.” I became a Longhorn the very next day.

I have UT, my family and my friends to thank for all of the opportunities I have had thus far, and I am excited for what the future has in store for me. This next chapter of my life as a member of the Texas 4000 team will allow me to not only serve those affected by cancer, but to also help to raise knowledge, hope, and awareness so that one day cancer will no longer be an issue in our society.

Why I Ride

My freshman year of high school, I received a phone call from my mom. She said that my uncle had picked her up at the office, and she was on her way to the hospital, but that I shouldn’t be worried. That day was the start of her being in ICU for almost two weeks. It was one of the scariest times of my life. Having someone you care so much about be in such a vulnerable and helpless position changes your outlook on life. You learn to depend on the community and people around you that kept you going through the tough times. I appreciate the little moments I get to spend with people because I know what it’s like to feel that it could slip away at any moment.

In 2007, my mom had uterine cancer. Over the next five years, she endured not only cancer, but dealt with an overactive thyroid that had to be surgically removed and atrial fibrillation, which predisposes you to strokes. It hasn’t been an easy road, but my mom made it seem like it was. Just last year I received the phone call that said she didn’t have to take her heart medicine anymore, and that she was on the road to recovery. I don’t know anyone else in the whole entire world who can keep a business running, take care of a household, be involved in the community, and still be there for her kids as a mom while having cancer. I admire her, and hope that one day I can become the strong and incredible woman that she is. I learned about perseverance through my mom.

Texas 4000 has inspired me to give back to the community who helped save my mom's life. I ride for my mom, a person who has influenced me in such positive ways over the years, and I ride for a cancer free future.