Profile

About: Everyone has aspects of their life that form them - whether that be their cultural background, personal ambitions, or relationships. These are some elements of my life that hold immense significance in shaping my worldview and aspirations.

My Palestinian background has been a defining influence on my identity. Growing up as the daughter of Palestinians, I was immersed in the rich tapestry of my culture through the vivid stories shared by my parents. They could spend hours describing how delicious Palestinian knafeh is, the infectious humor of our people, and the idyllic scenery of Nablus's parks. My roots define who I am today and I am immensely proud to call myself a Palestinian.

My mother is my greatest source of inspiration, a true superwoman. From her, I have learned the importance of treating people with kindness and empathy. Despite challenges, my mother continues to be one of the most compassionate and resilient individuals I know. She always tells me I am the light of her life but in reality, she is the biggest light of mine. I am lucky to say that my mom is my biggest supporter.

I am a huge believer that knowledge is power. I spend much of my time seeking to expand my understanding of the world through reading books. My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in law and work in the UN to advocate for those who have been wronged by unjust circumstances such as discrimination and human rights violations.

I am lucky to have friends in my life who push me every day to be better. Hansa, Kashish, and Ola are three people in my life who have shown me how to love and believe in myself. I would not be half the person I am today without them and their support.

It means the absolute world to me that you are taking the time to read my profile today. Through my ride I will be carrying a list of ride dedications that I will read everyday and I would be more than honored to ride for you or someone you love. Please email me at: ramahamoudah@utexas.edu - it would truly make my day.

Why I Ride

Our health is one of the most important things in life, but it's often the most overlooked. Cancer is a powerful adversary that strikes without warning, interrupting our lives and causing unimaginable pain and suffering.

Throughout my life, I have witnessed the profound impact cancer can have on a person's life. It's astounding to see that even the most vibrant and active individuals I know can be transformed by cancer. The harsh reality is that cancer does not discriminate, and it doesn't care about who we are.

In the month of January, two people that I care about deeply became diagnosed with cancer. My heart sank as I struggled to process the reality of the situation. Watching them grapple with their diagnoses, I saw how cancer instantly transformed their lives. Their priorities changed, and everything seemed to be put on hold. Houses that were filled with joy were now filled with nothing but worry. The reality that cancer can come in and alter someone's life so drastically is something that I will never be able to wrap my head around. It doesn't make sense to me that something so cruel and unfair can happen to such wonderful people.

However, even in the midst of such difficult circumstances, I'm continually amazed by the strength they have shown. Their resilience and courage are a constant source of inspiration for me, and I'm filled with pride to know them. They continue to fight bravely in the face of adversity, never giving up hope and always pushing forward.
They are what inspire me to be a part of Texas 4000 and they are why I ride.

I ride for the journey that comes before Alaska - the process of raising money for cancer research, spreading awareness about early detection of cancer, and hope to the families that have gone through the unfortunate effects of cancer. I ride because I believe we have the power to make a difference.

I ride for my grandma Ola El Kazmi
I ride for my childhood friend
I ride for two-year-old Danya Amirah Sahadi
I ride in honor of my friends grandma Qaesar
I ride in honor of Mohammad Rahmatian
I ride in honor of my Khalto Obaida Kazmi
I ride in honor of my Khalo Emad
I ride for my Khalto Mona
I ride for my Khalto Fatina
I ride for my Khalto Hayat
I ride for my friends mom Lupe
I ride for Haifa Said
I ride in honor of my Great-Grandma Yousra
I ride in honor for those who spent their careers helping others in the fight against cancer, my friend's dad - Dr.Qadri
I ride for all of my incredible teammates and their stories

I ride because I know how expensive medicine can be as I have watched my family struggle to pay for necessary yet overpriced medical care.

Because money should never stop someone from receiving treatment but unfortunately does way too many times, especially in the US.

I ride because I can - because I am lucky enough to have the health to do so.

I ride for you. Because no matter who you are - a coworker, friend, or stranger, you took the time to read my profile and for that, I cannot thank you enough.

I ride so that one-day cancer will just be a problem of the past.

To Alaska and back,
Rama Hamoudah