When writing this section, it felt almost impossible to choose a singular reason as to why I joined Texas 4000. My list coming in was already long and as I continue my time in this organization, my list continues to grow.

I primarily ride for my maternal grandparents. My grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and my grandfather was diagnosed with kidney cancer. I still vividly remember visiting India during the time my grandmother was recovering from chemotherapy and my grandfather was at the hospital undergoing a nephrectomy. Although they both were going through immensely painful times in their lives, nobody would have believed it with the positive energy they carried with them. Throughout that summer, I was able to see their resiliency, optimism, and incredibly strong mindset – values that I hope to emulate one day.

When I was leaving India, my grandmother promised that the next time I visited, she would be better and she would teach me all of the family recipes she didn’t get to that time around. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to learn from her. Before I was able to visit again, she passed away from the side effects of chemotherapy and other intense operations she had to go through to beat cancer.

My grandfather will turn 90 this year. My mom recently shared with me a book that contained the family recipes my grandmother wrote for me before she passed. Though she is no longer physically here to teach me these recipes, I know that when I visit India again and my grandfather and I cook her recipes together, she will be with us in spirit.

If you or your loved ones have been affected by cancer, I would be honored to carry your story with me to Alaska. Please feel free to share your story with me at shikha.lakhi@utexas.edu.

I ride for my grandparents. I ride for you. I ride for a better tomorrow.

To Alaska and back,
Shikha