Mother's Day will always hold a special place in my heart. Why? Because it reminds me to commemorate two mothers- my own, and a complete stranger- who move my heart to keep pedaling, day after day.

Meet Connie.

On Mother's Day, 2020, a friend of mine had shared a fundraising campaign for Connie, who, at the time, was a new mother to an 11-month-old son, battling Stage 3 Breast cancer. And, as many of us do at the mercy of despair is we hide. But Connie, though I'm sure it wasn't easy, shared her story. From then on, I witnessed hundreds of people pouring the little that they had to help Connie and her husband hold their son a little tighter, a little closer.

In some ways, I feel I had received so much more than what I gave because what Connie gave me was gratitude. Gratitude for the life I have, and the mother who raised me through it all.

For those who have/had the privilege of having a relationship with their mother (or any other guardian), I believe that our lives are a testament to their unrelenting desire to give unconditionally and abundantly to us. But, what we often fail to see is the frailty in their bodies. Each year they get to watch us grow, is another year that their bodies endured- and for many, endured cancer.

In the same way cancer transcends all races, genders, ages, and tongues, may hope, knowledge, charity- and of all these, love- be the mark we leave on this world.

And so I ride for Connie, my mother, and all others, named and unnamed. I ride for mental health awareness. I ride for domestic violence/human trafficking awareness. I ride for justice for all those who are slain and incarcerated. I ride for our undocumented many. And I ride in the name of Jesus, from Austin to Alaska, and beyond.

If you feel any inclination to help support this organization and our mission to spread hope, knowledge, and charity in the fight against cancer, please consider donating! There is never a donation too big or too small, and your thoughts, encouragement, and furthering of our mission to others are more than enough!

I appreciate you, and thank you, deeply, and if there is anyone I can ride for along this journey for you, please email me (elicejshin@utexas.edu). It would be my honor and privilege to carry their stories to Alaska and back, and beyond.

With love, Elice

https://bit.ly/elicetoalaska