Cancer is never just a statistic. It’s the person you love, the friend you grew up with, or the neighbor whose life changed overnight. Nearly half of us will face cancer in our lifetime, whether through our own diagnosis or someone we love. Cancer affects all of us, and so does the fight to end it.

Hello, my name is Aanya, and I am a sophomore Neuroscience student at UT Austin. I’m a member of the Texas 4000 for Cancer 2027 Ride Team, where I’ll train to ride over 4,000 miles from Austin, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska, in the summer of 2027 as part of the world’s longest annual charity bike ride, supporting the fight against cancer.

What draws me to Texas 4000 isn’t just the ride itself, but everything leading up to it. I’ve been a little clumsy my whole life, and while I’ve always been ambitious, I haven’t always been consistent. I want this journey to show me what I’m capable of when I keep showing up, even when it gets hard. I also want to appreciate something I never want to take for granted: the ability to move our bodies and experience the world around us. Beyond the physical challenge, I hope to grow through the stories I hear, the people I meet, and the perspectives I gain. I want to come away not just stronger, but with a bigger heart and a deeper understanding of the people I hope to care for someday as a doctor.

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!