Hello everyone, my name is Blaze Gordon and I am currently a Junior at UT Austin studying Audiology within the Moody School of Communications. On campus I am a Terry foundation Scholar, and have spent my previous summers doing volunteer conservation work (most recently with the Environmental Agency of Iceland). My newest development is becoming a member of the 2023 Texas 4000 team. This is the longest annual charity bike ride event - a 4000+ mile bike ride from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska during the summer of 2023. Together we will volunteer, spread awareness, fundraise and train for this amazing opportunity.

 Below is my story for why I ride: 

I ride for my late grandfather, Papa John. Around the age of 10 he was diagnosed with Lung cancer. At the time, I couldn't comprehend or process the severity of the situation. I still showed the same love as before, but I realized the family atmosphere was beginning to change. As his hair initially fell out and he became more lethargic, I channeled my feelings towards the situation into introspection, unable to communicate my feelings to anyone about the situation. Over time he entered remission, yet kept smoking cigars. The general feeling was acknowledgement that smoking is bad for him, but understanding there is nothing I can personally do to change his actions, except show even more love and compassion than before. 

When I went to visit him for the last time in Massachusetts, I had a feeling leaving their house that that would be the last time I see him. I think I finally let go of all the barriers of trying to act tough and just bawled into my grandmother's arms. I had been holding in these feelings for 7 years by this point and had just then realized how much I cherished my time with Papa John.

With that being said, I ride for Communication. I ride for open dialogues and confronting the underlying fears and concerns of everyone involved with the fight against cancer. I ride for my current friends who have lost loved ones to this disease, and all my future friends who may be afflicted by it in one way or another.

I ride to understand. To travel and share my story and journey with people all across the country. The idea of making an impact on just a single individual fuels me to keep riding, keep committing to service, and to keep representing the 2023 Texas 4000 team. 

But above all - Papa John, I ride for you. Quiet and reserved, yet well-spoken and a beacon of knowledge through my youth. I think of you climbing Mount Washington in New Hampshire during your late stages of treatment and blowing the minds of the entire family through your strength, determination, and love for those around you - as you reached the top and stood triumphantly where cancer tried to hold you back. I wish you were here to confide in about my college journey but I know you're looking down thinking "He's going to ride HOW MANY miles?". They're all for you John.

In order to participate, each member must raise $4,500 which will go to cancer research and support services all across the United States. Any support, whether dollar amount, passing the message along, or just kind words for this journey is cherished. 

From Austin to Anchorage,

Blaze Gordon