San Benito native to embark on 4500-mile bike ride to benefit cancer research

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Garcia, a double major in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Science at the University of Texas at Austin, is representing the LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 2012 team, which will embark on a 70-day biking journey – a ride which consists of a 4,500 mile trek from the university to Anchorage, Alaska. This, Garcia said, to benefit cancer research.

“My grandpa died of prostate cancer, and there’s a lot of chronic disease in my family. So I got interested in the program,” Garcia said, adding she’s done her part by organizing events in her community that raise cancer awareness. As far as LIVESTRONG is concerned, Garcia said it is the 50 UT students’ individual goal to raise $4,500 during their biking, or $1 per mile.

“The application process included probably around 200 people, and from there they chose 100 to go through the interview process, and only 50 were selected,” Garcia said of how she came to be on the team. “I’m actually in Austin right now waiting to get started. I’ve been here for about a year now, going through school and research, but I haven’t visited my family all that much.”

Still, Garcia said the possibility of raising $400,000, her team goal, is worth making sacrifices, especially for a team that has already raised over $2.5 million for cancer research.

Texas 4000 was created in 2004 by a student who Garcia said suffered from cancer, and who combined his love for cycling with determination to beat the disease to initiate the team. The team has since benefited organizations such as the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, UT Biomedical Research, and LIVESTRONG, a foundation founded by Lance Armstrong.

“This ride is the longest charity ride in the world. Half of us will travel through the Rockies and the other half along the coast of California. We split the team into two in order to reach more people throughout the journey.” Garcia said. “The team meets in Canada and travels the last few days of the trip together to cross Alaska. Along the way we give presentations spreading knowledge and awareness about how you can help prevent cancer. We also speak to cancer survivors and families who are currently battling cancer to show them that there are others out there fighting with them and for them.”

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