I remember standing on the middle school football field, surrounded by my eighth-grade peers, cheering, “I stand with Chaaya! #fightlikeagirl.” Chaaya, one of our classmates, had been diagnosed with Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (brain cancer), and our entire school came together to raise funds for her treatment. But life has a way of challenging our best efforts, and the following summer, Chaaya passed away.

Interestingly, during my senior year of high school, I was able to reconnect with Chaaya's family. Though they didn't know me well, through a scholarship program in my school district, I was selected to match with their family's foundation. Despite the short time I was able to speak with her family, their story and dedication to the fight against cancer ignited a fire in me to actively join this fight. As a student pursuing a degree in neuroscience, specifically on the pre-med track, their story really inspired me to want to do something in college to honor Chaaya and the thousands of other families impacted by the devastating effects of cancer, specifically brain cancer. 

Throughout my fundraising journey, I have gotten the opportunity to speak with many people, some close friends and family, and some complete strangers. Though everyone has different backgrounds and life experiences, I have realized that the one common link is that everyone has been affected by cancer in some capacity, be it a distant friend, or a close relative. Their stories of resilience amidst adversity is what inspired me to get involved in Texas4000 for Cancer to channel my passion into a force for change by engaging communities and contributing to research efforts. Texas4000’s mission not only resonates with my values, but its commitment to collaboration and leadership within the community helps me reinforce my desire to give back.

As I venture into this mentally and physically grueling journey, I foresee immense personal growth, from cultivating leadership skills to deepening my sense of community, as we become a beacon of hope on this ride. Your support for this cause will do more than serve as a donation: your donation represents a lifeline for countless individuals and families. Your generosity will provide much-needed support and resources to fund therapies and research, and together, we can make a real difference in this fight against cancer one story at a time.

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
• Spread the Word: Share my fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!

Thank you for standing by me in this effort. Your support means the world to me! If you have anyone you would like me to ride for, please reach out to me! My email is smahadevan@utexas.edu, and I would be more than happy to listen to your story and ride for you/someone close to you. 

To Alaska and Further,

Nidhi Mahadevan