As I plopped down at the dinner table, nine-year-old me groaned in annoyance at the typical questioning from Mom: “How was your day? What did you learn in school today?” However, by the end of the meal, my dirty plate had been cast aside, and the focus had shifted from me to Dad. I was mesmerized by Dad’s storytelling, filled with dad humor, breathing life into every anecdote about his “firsts.” 

        “Risk-takers” best describes the Sangani family. In pursuit of refuge from dictatorship, my dad's family made a sudden move from his birthplace, Tanzania, Africa, to Beirut, Lebanon. Only a few months later, my grandparents and my father, age four, drove 7,000 miles over the span of a month from Beirut to Bangalore, India to reunite with family and complete my dad’s primary education. Ten years later, my dad moved 9,000 miles west, starting fresh with his parents in Phoenix, Arizona. He started his high school and business career with family ownership of three small businesses: a video store, liquor bar, and a dry cleaning plant. 

        Hearing how Dad dedicated himself to the business—his initiative imperative to the family’s success in a foreign world—fostering his love for film and the community, inspired my nine-year-old self to proclaim I was dropping out of elementary school to open a slime store. 

        My family’s legacy has instilled an entrepreneurial spirit within me I’m aiming to live true to—I’m currently a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in both Business and Plan II Honors. In addition to career aspirations, my dad continuously influences me: his core values of prioritizing family, a dedication to his community, and discipline inspires my everyday. 

        Following my dad’s diagnosis of prostate cancer and radical prostatectomy surgery, he adopted a healthy—mentally and physically— lifestyle and a commitment to intention behind every action. These ideas are at the heart of Texas 4000 For Cancer’s mission. My dad’s cancer history is one facet of why I ride, but at large, I ride for my dad and the endurance and love he represents. 

        I ride for my loving mom who has empowered me to value education and health and encouraged me to give my time to such causes. I ride, volunteer, and fundraise with Texas 4000 for cancer to spread hope, knowledge, and charity in the fight against cancer. Texas 4000 is nothing if not a test of mental and physical strength. I am excited to embark on the Sangani Family risk-taking tradition by biking 4,000 miles from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska and improve my resilience, a quality I greatly admire about my dad. 

        Your donation supports cancer research and support services, as well as the Texas 4000 2025 team summer ride as we spread our mission across North America, transforming the lives of countless. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting me in the mission of Texas 4000.

        To Alaska and back, 

        Siya Sangani

Every donation—big or small—helps me reach my fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause.

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
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Thank you for standing by me in this effort. Your support means the world to me!