About Me

Profile

About:




I was born and raised 19 years in San Antonio, Texas by two loving and very supportive parents. I have one older sister, Kacie, the sweetest pup, Corey, and the best friends in the world. Growing up, I dabbled in tennis, and volleyball, but mostly lived in the pool. I love being outside and being active, but I also love to draw and write. I am currently on the winning side of a lifelong battle with Crohn’s disease. It inspired me to be where I am today; studying to be a nurse at UT. It is hard to believe I am already in college, living the life I had only ever imagined!

Why I Ride

I ride for Miss Kay Wall, Caty Mayer, and my grandfather.

Kay Wall is my best friend’s mom. She was a family friend and neighbor long before I was born. Throughout my childhood she was a second mother to me. She is the sweetest and most creative woman I know. She has a daughter Claire and a son Jonathan, and a great husband, Dr. Jim (an oncologist!). She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, then in 2002 was diagosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS for short), which eventually developed into leukemia. She travelled all they way from her home in North Carolina to Seattle to get a bone marrow transplant. She is now enjoying life in remission!


Caty Mayer is a 14 year-old freshman at my hometown high school. She is the daughter of my economics, and environmental systems teachers, two of the greatest teachers I ever had. Last year she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. The diagnosis came as such a shock and a surprise to everyone. She is such a strong beautiful young woman and I admire her strength and optimism through all of it. I ate dinner with their family several months ago and I know that it is God and the amazing support of her family working as a healing power in her life. As of March 6, 2009 the scans showed that the tumor is gone and Caty is cancer free!


John Hattaway is my father’s father. A few years ago he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. That Christmas we all rushed to his side, not sure if he would make it through the year. I am happy to say he enjoyed three more very special years with the love and support of his lovely wife, my grandmother, Betty Hattaway. (May his soul rest in peace 11-11-09)

Although these are success stories, I know there are many who are not. I ride for the hardship that these strong individuals, all others with cancer, and their friends and family have endured, in hopes that cancer might someday only be a memory.