Profile

Why I Ride

In the spring of 2018, my great uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the hardest to diagnose and treat. He passed away last August. I still remember his crazy knack for math and his passion for teaching anyone he came across. I remember thinking there was nothing he didn’t know. When I heard of his diagnosis, I remember not understanding how someone with so much life could be destined to leave this world in such a way. I couldn’t understand how anyone could be deserving of so much pain and suffering.

Many days I have wondered how people so undeserving could be diagnosed with cancer. And there is no answer. It’s just a cruel, cruel disease.

But hope isn’t lost, and I ride to support those fighting. I ride to honor my great uncle and those he left behind. I ride for the stories cut short through no fault of their own. I ride for the memories that could have been. I ride for the families of those diagnosed and for the many people in science who are working towards an end to this terrible disease. I ride to be a part of this huge gesture of love and support that Texas 4000 lends to those affected. I ride to spread hope, charity, and knowledge and for a better future for all.

I am lucky to be able to ride, and so I ride for those who can’t. Those affected by cancer have shown me what resilience looks like, and I ride for a cancer-free future to show them that hope is not lost. It would be my honor to carry to Alaska the story of anyone you would like me to ride for, so please reach out to me at devikadraju@gmail.com to share your fight.

To Alaska and back,
Devika