Elena Walch

Fundraising for Texas 4000

Fundraising for Texas 4000 For Cancer
US$5,891
raised of US$4,500 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Texas 4000 for Cancer, 15 February 2022
2023 Team Fundraising
Campaign by Texas 4000 For Cancer (RCN 200371876)
2023 Team Fundraising

Story

I have always considered myself to be an extreme person, so riding to Alaska only felt fitting- but the more I debated it, the greater my heart swelled. Every thought I had steering me away from Texas 4000 was quickly matched with 5 reasons pulling me towards it. There is not a single reason I could truly validate for deciding not to at least apply: fear, doubt, self consciousness, time? These feelings are all too familiar for those with and affected by cancer.

 
My Oma is one of the strongest people I’ve had the honor of knowing; our whole family was centered around her. She served in the military, raised 9 kids, and continued to work as a nurse for decades- of course she did not do all this alone. My Opa, Francis, was alongside her until he passed from lung cancer. My aunts & uncles tell stories of Opa with pride: his Naval career, the times he caught them in trouble, and how he would fall asleep to TV static. Opa passed from lung cancer before my sister and I got to meet him. He seemed strong, determined, and stoic; I never understood how someone so important to my family could be taken by cancer. I was in 7th grade when my Uncle Tony, Oma’s little brother who had previously been battling cancer, passed away. I distinctly remember walking Oma to the funeral; she was around 90 and had severe Alzheimers. It felt cruel and merciless telling and retelling her why we were at the church, knowing that cancer played a role in the loss of both Uncle Tony and Opa Despite these great losses, Oma held herself together. She was an influential presence in the lives of her 20+ grandkids. She treated us with coke floats and ice cream sandwiches, always lost her teeth, found peace in praying the rosary, and compulsively salted her food without tasting it- a habit in which I will always share with her.


 I ride for Opa, whom my family holds so deeply in their hearts. I ride for Uncle Tony, who called Dot and I, “sweetheart,” and kissed the top of our heads, who crossed my mind constantly at the pools. I ride for Oma, who lost so much to cancer but still loved so fiercely, who embodies strength. I ride for my family who still grieves these losses but more importantly celebrates their lives. I ride for the empty chairs at game night and for every time we sing “Mama Tried.” I ride for the Frances club and for the nostalgia at every family reunion. I ride for my Aunt Teresa, who battled breast cancer throughout the pandemic, while continuing to teach middle schoolers. She is beyond amazing & I hope to show an ounce of her strength. I ride for those who love me and whom I love.

In mid-October my Pre-K best friend turned 21. We celebrated at brunch, and her mom passed around old pictures of us. One showed her in a sparkly pink dress, revealing a brown birthmark on her arm. At that young age, I did not realize the gravity of the situation when she told me her birthmark was being removed because of her brother’s cancer diagnosis. Cancer left a lasting mark on her and her family, but they never let it define them.

 
 Unfortunately, many of my close friends have had familial experiences with cancer; upon telling them about doing Texas 4000, their natural reaction was to celebrate and congratulate me- completely unnecessary but incredibly sweet. That’s just who they are and who their families raised them to be. They’ve known fear and doubt, but have made so much more known: humility, resilience, grace, joy.


I ride for Jessica & her family who love their kids’ friends like their own (but fed me all the snacks my mom wouldn’t) and always greet me with open arms.
I ride for Mia & her family, the hardest workers and most genuine people, who never fail to make me laugh until I cry.
I ride for Ethan & his family who meet me with compassion time and time again.
I ride for Claire, my first college friend, & her family who recently celebrated their mom’s last chemo treatment!!!!!!!!!
I ride for my lifeguards, who  hold a soft spot in my heart, even if i hate to admit. It only took 5 years to get everyone to wear sunscreen :)  

I ride for my community, who has known great loss, but continues to grow and walk with eachother. 


I have always struggled to express my feelings to my loved ones. This 4000 mile ride is me: breaking down barriers, stripping down to simplicity, and physically writing out my love.

I ride for those I love. From Austin to Alaska,
- elena


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About the campaign

2023 Team Fundraising

About the charity

Texas 4000’s mission is to cultivate student leaders and engage communities in the fight against cancer. We share hope, knowledge and charity through leadership development, grantmaking, and our cornerstone event, a 4,000+ mile bike ride from Austin to Anchorage.

Donation summary

Total raised
US$5,890.10
Online donations
US$5,252.00
Offline donations
US$638.10

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