About Me

Profile

About: I’m currently a Nutritional Sciences student at the University of Texas. I was born in a small town in south Texas called Harlingen, but consider myself to be from the Dallas area. I am a self-proclaimed science geek and love learning new things from all my science classes here at UT no matter how difficult they may be (talking about you Organic chemistry). I hope to one day join the medical field as a Physician Assistant.

I love being a part of the Texas 4000 ride because my whole life I’ve wanted to do something big for someone other than myself…something that can make a big change in at least one person’s life. When I first heard about the Texas 4000 I only thought about the arduous bike ride, and was a little intimidated. But when I realized what it was for, and read the rider personal statements on the Texas 4000 website, I became truly inspired and immediately wanted to be a part of the cause in any way I could. I then contacted T4K and became a media intern, hoping to spread the hope, knowledge and charity of Texas 4000 all across the country.

I’ve seen family members struggle with cancer. It’s a long and dreadful road, and the ride is a metaphor for that. This ride is to show cancer patients that they’re not alone. It’s to show everyone that if we work hard enough, and for long enough, we can go unimaginable distances. Honestly, riding a bike to Alaska sounds a little crazy. But if me riding 4,500 miles can create the possibility of cancer patients getting even a little bit better, then you can count me in.

Why I Ride

I ride for my late aunt, Patricia Fernandez. She was a big inspiration to everyone in my family, and when she was diagnosed we all did everything we could to give her all the support she needed. The doctors told her that she had six months to live, but with all of our support she extended her time with us to six years. The worst part was that her cancer had started in her lung and was caused by second-hand smoke at her place of work. Every week my family would get together and pray the rosary. It truly showed the immense love and support my family is capable of. I was a little kid when this all happened, but looking back on it now and realizing how much my family came together to try to beat my aunt’s cancer is truly inspiring. As a six year old, there wasn’t much I could do. But today, after learning so much more about life, about cancer, and about family, I want to do whatever I can to help put an end to this disease for everyone.

I also ride for my grandfather, Fred W Teves. He wasn’t my biological grandfather, but when my mom married my stepdad he immediately treated me as family.