Hi! My name is Urjitha Vardhineni, and I am honored to be part of Texas 4000 for Cancer. Our mission is to fight cancer by spreading awareness, educating communities, and funding life-saving cancer research and prevention programs. Over 4,000 miles, we bring people together, sharing stories, resources, and hope to create a brighter future for those impacted by this disease.

For me, this mission is deeply personal. Although I am incredibly privledged to have not lost anyone in my immidiate family to cancer, my grandmother passed away from chronic illnesses before I was old enough to know her. As a high school principal and educator, she lived selflessly for her family and community leaving a legacy of love that is still felt. Her story lives on through my dad and the letters she left for me and my brother and I carry her spirit with me as I am to live by her values.

More recently, my family’s journey has expanded to include advocacy for my brother, who came out as transgender in seventh grade. While we were fortunate to have supportive parents, much of our community struggled to accept him. During his transition, we encountered firsthand the challenges of navigating healthcare systems that lack the knowledge and resources to meet patients’ needs. This experience showed me the power of knowledge and advocacy to bring families together.

Texas 4000’s mission to spread knowledge, empower patients, and fund cancer prevention and treatment aligns with everything I stand for. Through this campaign, I hope to honor my grandmother’s resilience and extend her legacy of love and advocacy to families impacted by cancer. Your support will help us continue this vital work, bringing life saving resources to communities across the country.

I invite you to join me in this journey. Every dollar you donate is a step toward better healthcare, stronger communities, and brighter futures. Together, we can make a lasting impact, one mile at a time.

To Alaska and Back,

Urji