About Me

Profile

About: Hey y’all! My name is Nancy Bonds. I’m a finance and government senior at the University of Texas at Austin. I have a twin sister that looks nothing like me and an older brother who is one of my biggest heroes. I grew up on the youth soccer fields of Fort Worth, TX, and I never seemed to venture too far away. At the end of the day, I’m a student, an advocate, a family member, an athlete, an intern, a photographer, an outdoor enthusiast, and a friend. I also carry a few adjectives around—adventurous, optimistic, energetic, loud, sarcastic, and spirited. I’ve lobbied at the state capitol, climbed mountains, and played in soccer championships. I yearn for the next challenge, the next test, but most importantly—the next opportunity to learn, to find myself, and to help others along the way.

Why I Ride

My family has dealt with several bouts of cancer. Two of my grandparents have passed away in college from cancer. As a student hundreds of miles away, there was little I could have done. Throughout my life they sewed me Halloween costumes and taught me how to catch fireflies in mason jars. But I never felt like I did anything for them. So Texas 4000 is my way of saying thank you to the people in my life who were arguably my most selfless advocates.

But even more importantly, my family is not the only one affected by cancer. Martin Luther King once said that “darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that,” and the meaning of his words transcend the cause he supported throughout his life. As human beings, we have the unique capacity to form ideas and change the outcomes of nature more than any other animal on Earth. Our motivations, values, and beliefs structure our society and our world. Dr. King’s words show us that with positivity, with kindness, and with compassion, we can make an impact that is beyond ourselves. We have the opportunity to do something different, to be change in the world, and to act out of compassion and love. With each mile we can show every individual, city, and state that we can be light that drives out the darkness of cancer.

I ride for the opportunity to get to know one more person—one more person who can teach this world something, who can show us all a new perspective, who touches our hearts.