Roughly 1 in 3 men and women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, a statistic that is difficult for me to ignore.

Hello! My name is Aanya, and I am a sophomore Neuroscience student at UT Austin. I am incredibly honored and grateful to be a member of the Texas 4000 for Cancer 2027 Ride Team.

As part of this journey, I will train to ride over 4,000 miles from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska in support of the fight against cancer in the summer of 2027. Through this experience, I will be connecting this mission to things I already care deeply about: running, biking, and creating meaningful impact through community.

What draws me in isn’t just the ride itself, but everything leading up to it. The training and fundraising are part of a larger effort to advance cancer research and stand alongside patients, survivors, and families directly impacted by this disease. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to hear stories and gain perspectives I may not otherwise encounter, helping me better understand what people go through when facing illness.

While cancer has not personally impacted my family, I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to watch someone you love face circumstances beyond their control. That experience has taught me the importance of showing up for people during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and it is a perspective I hope to carry with me throughout this journey.

To me, a cause like this is about showing up consistently for something bigger than myself. Every mile ridden and every dollar raised will carry meaning beyond the ride itself.

If you’d like to support our team and this mission, I would be incredibly grateful for your contribution.

Thank you so much for your support, and I hope you have a wonderful day!