Ashley Wallace Texas 4000This summer, MPA student Ashley Wallace will ride over 4000 miles on a bicycle from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. It’s an unbelievable distance for an inexperienced cyclist, but with the goal of raising money to help in the fight against cancer, it’s easy to see why so many students from UT participate in this annual event. Ashley’s motivation is personal; she honors both her mother who passed away 15 years ago from breast cancer and her Aunt who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Riding to celebrate their lives and strength, Ashley embarks on what will be an amazing journey as she rides the “Ozarks” route through Houston, Minneapolis, Chicago and finally Anchorage.

The Texas 4000 is a non-profit and student organization that promotes hope, knowledge, and charity in the fight against cancer. From May 31 until August 8, 2014, 83 college students from the University of Texas at Austin will bike about 80 miles per day until they reach Anchorage. Each rider is required to raise a minimum of $4,500 and the team of students’ goal is to raise over $550,000 before they reach Alaska. These funds go to places like MD Anderson Cancer Center, the UT Biomedical Engineering Department, and other cancer-related services.

We are extremely proud to see one of our own students dedicate her entire summer to ride in the name of charity. If you would like to help support Ashley as she traverses the Texas 4000, donations are accepted throughout the summer: http://bit.ly/1lDB09p.